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WHL Portland Winterhawks

Hawks Top Thunderbirds 6-5 in SO, Stretch Point Streak to 13 Games

January 30, 2022 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Portland Winterhawks News Release


Portland, Ore. - After a see-saw 60 minutes which included a three-goal comeback for Portland, the Winterhawks knocked off the Seattle Thunderbirds for a fourth consecutive contest 6-5 in a shootout. James Stefan recorded the only goal in the shootout, while Dante Giannuzzi posted 39 saves on 44 shots to stretch his personal point streak to seven games.

Portland has now recorded at least a point in 13 straight games (12-0-0-1) and has won its last six.

Tension built in the first period as fans awaited Seattle's opening goal to trigger the barrage of teddy bears, and it came at 15:46 of the first period when Lucas Ciona deflected home his 10th goal of the year. Following an extended intermission and the conclusion of the first period, Seattle built on its lead with two goals in under thirty seconds from Jordan Gustafson and Henrik Rybinski.

As the middle frame wore on, Portland began to build more of an attack, and finally broke through with Jack O'Brien's eighth of the year at 8:04 on the power play. O'Brien - whose goal marked his third straight game lighting the lamp - gathered a rebound to the right of Thomas Milic before coolly slotting the puck through the netminder's legs to put Portland on the board. The Hawks grabbed another goal before the frame finished up when Josh Zakreski potted his first career WHL goal, a quick snap shot from the slot over the shoulder of Milic to make it 3-2 Seattle.

Then came a wild, back-and-forth third period that saw five total goals traded between the two clubs. Kyle Chyzowski initially knotted the game at three with a laser from the left wing, but Sam Popowich responded for Seattle two minutes later to restore his team's lead. And after Tyson Kozak again leveled the score with his team-leading 21st of the year, Jordan Gustafson put Seattle back on top under a minute later with his second of the game. But before the Thunderbirds could see the game out in regulation, Cross Hanas ripped home the final tying goal at 18:54 as the Winterhawks' sixth skater after pulling Giannuzzi.

Following a tight-checking overtime period, Portland's shootout prowess shone through once more as Stefan grabbed the lone tally and Giannuzzi faced down all three Seattle shooters.

The Winterhawks put their 13-game point streak on the line once more at home tomorrow against Tri-City. Game time is 5 p.m.

-- WINTERHAWKS.COM -

Ticket plans are now on sale for the 2021-22 season! Season Ticket Memberships are the best way to never miss a second of the action, including the same great seat to all 34 Winterhawks games at Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Our new Flex Packs give fans the flexibility of cheering on the Hawks all season long. Flex packs, which give nearly 30% savings, are purchased in increments of ten ticket vouchers so there is no limit to how much fun you can have! To learn more about all available ticketing options, visit Winterhawks.com.

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Western Hockey League Stories from January 30, 2022


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