WHL Portland Winterhawks

Hawks' Late Comeback Bid Falls Short in Brandon

Published on January 6, 2023 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Portland Winterhawks News Release


James Stefan and Jack O'Brien fueled a late comeback effort but the Hawks couldn't net the tying tally in the third period.

Game #34: Portland (2) at Brandon (3)

SOG: POR (36) - BDN (25)

PP: POR (1/7) - BDN (0/4)

Saves: Špunar (22/25) - Bjarnason (34/36)

COMPLETE BOX SCORE

SCORING:

BDN - 14:41 - Nate Danielson (19) from Jake Chiasson and Rylen Roersma

BDN - 14:41 - Second Period - Brett Hyland (21) from Nate Danielson

BDN - 17:36 - Second Period - Quinn Mantei (1) from Nate Danielson

POR - 3:59 - Third Period - Jack O'Brien (8) from James Stefan

POR - 8:35 - Third Period - James Stefan (10) from Gabe Klassen and Jack O'Brien

The Story:

Down by three in the third period, the Winterhawks (26-5-2-1) clawed back to within a goal but fell just short as the Brandon Wheat Kings (16-17-4-0) took a 3-2 victory at Westoba Place on Friday.

Nate Danielson starred for Brandon with a goal and two assists in the first 40 minutes, pacing his club's offense throughout the affair, while Portland's James Stefan picked up second star honors with a goal and an assist.

Stefan and Jack O'Brien kickstarted Portland's third-period rally with goals in the first half of the frame. O'Brien tallied his eighth of the year to get the Hawks on the board as he finished off a 2-on-1 rush with Stefan, then the Laguna Beach, Calif. native bagged a goal of his own with a one-time blast on the power play at 8:35. The Winterhawks carried play in the final period, but could not solve Carson Bjarnason a third time.

Danielson's strong showing started 14:41 into the first as he finished off a Jake Chiasson pass on the doorstep for an early Brandon lead. Portland pushed for the equalizer on a second-period power play, but Danielson fed Brett Hyland on a shorthanded rush to double the hosts' advantage at 14:41 of the frame. Three minutes later, Quinn Mantei made it 3-0 with his first of the year, again assisted by Danielson.

The Winterhawks' East Division swing continues with a matchup against the Winnipeg ICE on Sunday at 3:05 P.M. CT.

QUOTE OF THE NIGHT presented by BBF TECHNOLOGIES:

"(Winnipeg's) a top team, they're gonna want to prove themselves against us and we're a top team too, so it's gonna be a really good battle. I think we got a little bit of a chip on our shoulder from this game and now we've just got to go (to Winnipeg) and play our game."

Winterhawks forward Jack O'Brien

Check out the Portland Winterhawks Statistics

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Western Hockey League Stories from January 6, 2023


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