Early Deficit Sinks Hawks' Late Comeback Effort
January 8, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Portland Winterhawks News Release
Four-point nights from Zach Benson and Matthew Savoie carried the Winnipeg ICE (29-5-0-0) past the Winterhawks (26-6-2-1) by a 6-3 final on Sunday at Wayne Fleming Arena.
Benson struck early for his first of the night, finishing off a Savoie rush at 4:05 of the opening frame. Savoie then tallied one of his own as intermission approached, poking home a loose puck in the crease.
Portland mounted a charge early in the second and found twine on Ryan McCleary's eighth of the season. After some strong forechecking left the puck with Gabe Klassen at the right point, the Hawks' captain wired a pass to Dawson Pasternak at the left circle, who centered it for a streaking McCleary and a tap-in from the slot. But after conceding the goal, the ICE responded with another two tallies in quick success from Benson and Carson Lambos midway through the frame, then finished the period with another last-minute goal as Benson capped off his hat-trick.
Still, the Winterhawks rallied and struck twice in the third. Robbie Fromm-Delorme grabbed the first, notching his 18th of the year as he tapped home a Klassen rebound. Then, after Savoie posted his second of the game for Winnipeg, Marcus Nguyen hammered home another rebound after a remarkable, cross-ice saucer pass from Dawson Pasternak to Kyle Chyzowski to start the rush, but the Hawks' late push couldn't overcome the early deficit.
Portland's Dante Giannuzzi wrapped up the night with 26 saves in his first WHL game in his hometown. The Winterhawks now travel west to take on the Prince Albert Raiders at 5:00 P.M. (PT) at Art Hauser Centre on Tuesday night.
Western Hockey League Stories from January 8, 2023
- Early Deficit Sinks Hawks' Late Comeback Effort - Portland Winterhawks
- ICE Doubles-Up on Portland - Winnipeg Ice
- Silvertips Send Zellweger, Hofer to Kamloops for Four Players, Ten Picks - Everett Silvertips
- Kamloops Blazers Acquire Olen Zellweger and Ryan Hofer from Everett Silvertips - Kamloops Blazers
- Everett Sends Zellweger, Hofer to Kamloops for Four Players, 10 WHL Draft Picks - Everett Silvertips
- ICE Acquire Ostapchuk - Winnipeg Ice
- Giants Acquire Three First-Round Picks, 2 Forwards, 2 Prospects, and a Fifth-Round Pick from Winnipeg for Zack Ostapchuk - Vancouver Giants
- Bedard's Return Keys Pats over Hitmen - Calgary Hitmen
- Bedard's Career-High Six Points Leads Pats to 6-2 Win - Regina Pats
- Game Day Hub: January 8 at Winnipeg - Portland Winterhawks
- Regina Hosts Calgary in Bedard's Return to Brandt Centre - Regina Pats
- Game #34 - ICE vs Portland Winterhawks, 5:00 at the ICE Cave Inside Wayne Fleming Arena - Winnipeg Ice
- Heidt and Young Propel Cougars to First Win of 2023 - Prince George Cougars
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