Hawks Earn 5-4 Comeback Victory in Kelowna Saturday
Published on January 29, 2017 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Portland Winterhawks News Release
The Portland Winterhawks (25-21-1-2) earned a 5-4 comeback win over the Kelowna Rockets (27-19-4-0) Saturday in a road contest played in Kelowna.
With just three seconds remaining in the tied game, Joachim Blichfeld deflected a shot from Brendan De Jong into the back of the Kelowna net to complete Portland's comeback win. The Hawks, without Cody Glass and Henri Jokiharju who are away for the CHL Top Prospects Game in Quebec, stormed back from a 4-1 deficit to earn their third consecutive victory.
Forward Skyler McKenzie finished with a three-point night, netting his team-leading 31st goal of the season and earning his 100th career point with an assist on Blichfeld's late goal. Ryan Hughes now has goals in three consecutive games, while Colton Veloso reached a career-high of 12 goals tonight.
The Hawks now return to Portland for a busy week, hosting Everett Tuesday at Veterans Memorial Coliseum and then Kamloops Wednesday at the Moda Center.
Scoring Summary:
1st @ 2:53 - (PP) Kelowna's Nick Merkley (Foote, Soustal) opens the scoring with a power play goal. (KEL 1 - POR 0) 1st @ 3:58 - (PP) Colton Veloso (McKenzie, Blichfeld) responds with a power play marker of his own, beating Kelowna netminder Michael Herringer for Portland to even it at 1-1. (KEL 1 - POR 1) 1st @ 13:45 - Gordie Ballhorn (Southam, Cowell) gives the Rockets a 2-1 lead. (KEL 2 - POR 1) 1st @ 14:34 - Kyle Topping (Merkley) extends Kelowna's lead to 3-1 with a goal 49 seconds later. (KEL 3 - POR 1) 2nd @ 4:29 - Kelowna's Reid Gardiner (Merkley) makes it 4-1 for the Rockets. (KEL 4 - POR 1) 2nd @ 8:34 - (PP) Skyler McKenzie (Blichfeld, Jones) cuts the deficit to 4-2 with a power play goal. (KEL 4 - POR 2) 2nd @ 9:25 - Ryan Hughes (Weinger, Quigley) gets Portland within one goal. (KEL 4 - POR 3) 3rd @ 12:51 - Jake Gricius regains his own rebound to tie it at 4-4. (KEL 4 - POR 4) 3rd @ 19:56 - Joachim Blichfeld (De Jong, McKenzie) completes the comeback, deflecting the puck past Herringer in the final seconds of the third period to give Portland the 5-4 win. (KEL 4 - POR 5) Power Play Statistics:
POR: 2/6 KEL: 1/5 Shots on Goal:
POR: 36 KEL: 35 Goaltending:
POR: Shane Farkas made 31 saves on 35 Kelowna shots. KEL: Michael Herringer made 31 saves on 36 Portland shots.
Western Hockey League Stories from January 29, 2017
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- Calgary Hitmen Game Preview - Sunday, January 29 Vs. Brandon - Calgary Hitmen
- Sudden Turns - Everett Silvertips
- Bear's Power-Play Goals Devour Tips - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Royals Knock Down Giants - Victoria Royals
- Giants Lose 7-1 in Victoria - Vancouver Giants
- Hawks Earn 5-4 Comeback Victory in Kelowna Saturday - Portland Winterhawks
- Winterhawks Complete Comeback to Top the Rockets 5-4 - Kelowna Rockets
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