Hawks Secure New Year's Eve Win in Front of Sellout Crowd
January 1, 2020 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Portland Winterhawks News Release
The Portland Winterhawks closed 2019 in style, beating rival Seattle 3-2 in front of a sold out Moda Center crowd. Nine different Winterhawks registered a point in the home win as they took over sole possession of first place in the division.
Seattle scored the first goal of the game early in the first period, but the Winterhawks rattled off three straight goals to climb to their largest lead of the night. Jack O'Brien tied the game at 1-1 off a net front rebound during the tenth minute of the first period. Thirty two seconds later, Kishaun Gervais one-timed in a centering feed from Lane Gilliss to give the Hawks the lead and they would not relinquish it.
Fast forwarding through the second period with momentum, Portland cycled the puck at the end of a power play chance and Jaydon Dureau blasted in a seam pass to make it 3-1. Seattle cut the Hawks lead down to one before the period's end, but Portland stymied Seattle in the final frame. The Winterhawks only allowed two third period shots all night to secure the final win of 2019.
NOTABLES:
Portland improves to 10-0-1-2 against the division, 14-1-1-1 at home ice, and 3-0-0-2 against Seattle.
Jaydon Dureau became the 13th different Winterhawks this season to record a game-winning goal.
Reece Newkirk extended his point streak to 11 straight with a primary assist on the game-winning tally.
For just the third time this season, the Hawks had one or fewer penalty kill situations.
Tonight's win was the Winterhawks 455th win of the decade, the most of any WHL team since January 1, 2010.
Box Score (Click the hyperlink to find all the scoring details)
SHOTS ON GOAL:
POR: 50
SEA: 18
POWER PLAY:
POR: 0/6
SEA: 0/1
SAVES:
POR: Isaiah DiLaura stopped 16-of-18 shots.
SEA: Roddy Ross stopped 47-of-50 shots.
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