Hawks Fall in Shootout; Clinch Third in U.S. Division
Published on March 20, 2016 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Portland Winterhawks News Release
The Portland Winterhawks (34-30-6-1) fell 4-3 in a shootout in Seattle Saturday against the Thunderbirds (44-23-4-0), but the point they earned clinched third place in the U.S. Division
That point combined with the Spokane Chiefs losing to the Tri-City Americans assured the Hawks third place in the Division, and a first round playoff matchup with the Everett Silvertips.
The Hawks got off to a great start, with pressure on Seattle right from the opening whistle as they outshot the Thunderbirds 20-6 in the opening 20 minutes. Portland was rewarded for its efforts when Jack Dougherty scored on a 5-on-3 power play at the 10:57 mark for a 1-0 lead they took into the second.
Portland kept their foot on the pedal to open the second, and made it 2-0 on another power play at 2:47 of the second when Rihards Bukarts converted a great pass from Keegan Iverson to score his 31st of the season. Just under two minutes later Colton Veloso was stationed at the side of the net and banged in a loose puck as he staked the Hawks to a 3-0 advantage.
Seattle got one back at 12:34 on a power play when Scott Eansor scored to cut the Hawks' lead to 3-1, which remained the score going into the third.
It stayed a two-goal game until 12:24 of the third, when Seattle's Ethan Bear scored on a 5-on-3 power play to bring the Thunderbirds within one, 3-2. Then just 1:02 later with the second penalty still in effect, Alexander True scored to tie the game at 3-3, setting up overtime.
After neither team found the net in overtime, the game went to a shootout. Each team scored once in the first three rounds, and Donovan Neuls won it for the Thunderbirds in the fourth.
The Hawks close out the regular season tomorrow when they host the Thunderbirds at 5 p.m. in the Moda Center.
Western Hockey League Stories from March 20, 2016
- Hawks Fall 4-1 to Seattle in Regular Season Finale - Portland Winterhawks
- Royals Wrap-Up Regular Season with Awards Ceremony - Victoria Royals
- Baillie Named MVP at Rockets Awards Ceremony - Kelowna Rockets
- Blazers Finish Regular Season with 2-0 Win - Kamloops Blazers
- Hitmen Honour 2015-16 Award Recipients - Calgary Hitmen
- Hitmen Win Regular Season Finale in a Shootout - Calgary Hitmen
- Chiefs' First Round Playoff Schedule Set - Spokane Chiefs
- Americans' Season Comes to a Close Behind 4th Straight Win - Tri-City Americans
- Calgary Hitmen Game Preview - Sunday, March 20 vs Kootenay - Calgary Hitmen
- Giants Fall to Rockets - Vancouver Giants
- Hurricanes to Face Pats in Round 1 - Lethbridge Hurricanes
- T-Birds Fly Past Winterhawks in Shootout - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Silvertips Announce First Round WHL Playoffs Schedule vs. Portland Winterhawks - Everett Silvertips
- Silvertips Fall to Victoria in Season Finale - Everett Silvertips
- Tie Breaker Ticket Information Released - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Winterhawks to Play Everett Silvertips in First Round - Portland Winterhawks
- Royals to Face Chiefs in First Round of WHL Playoffs - Victoria Royals
- Pats Face Lethbridge in First Round - Regina Pats
- Royals Top Silvertips in Season Finale - Victoria Royals
- Wheat Kings Cap Off Award Winning Season - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Stayin' Alive - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Rebels Roll over Oil Kings 7-2 - Red Deer Rebels
- Hawks Fall in Shootout; Clinch Third in U.S. Division - Portland Winterhawks
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