Hawks Win Game 2 in PG
April 28, 2024 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Portland Winterhawks News Release
Prince George, B.C. - James Stefan, Diego Buttazzoni and Marcus Nguyen (EN) each scored in the third period to break open a tied game and lift the Winterhawks to a 5-3 victory over the Prince George Cougars in Game 2 of their Western Conference Championship series.
The series is now tied 1-1, with Games 3, 4 and 5 all coming this week in Portland at the VMC.
With the contest deadlocked at two goals apiece entering the third, Stefan made the most of a power-play chance at 7:33, wiring a one-timer past Josh Ravensbergen just 10 seconds into the man-advantage opportunity. Seven minutes later, Buttazzoni slotted his first of the postseason for what would become the game-winning goal. The 2024 NHL Draft-eligible skater took a pass along the left-wing boards and found room in the five-hole on Ravensbergen to effectively decide the game.
Following a scoreless first, Zac Funk put Prince George on the board midway through the middle frame on a power-play rush. But just 27 seconds later, the Winterhawks responded with back-to-back goals, just 17 seconds apart. Kyle Chyzowski posted the club's first goal fo the series, tapping in a Josh Zakreski rebound, and Jack O'Brien gave Portland its first lead right off the ensuing faceoff. The Cougars responded 1:03 later through Borya Valis to make it 2-2 entering the final frame.
Nguyen's empty-netter and a garbage-time tally from PG's Oren Shtrom brought the final to 5-3 at the CN Centre. Jan Špunar stopped 29 of 33 shots for Portland, outdueling Ravensbergen's 33-save effort at the other end.
The puck drops for Game 3 at the VMC on Monday, with Game 4 set for Wednesday and Game 5 on Thursday. All games start at 7:00 P.M.
-- WINTERHAWKS.COM -
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- Hawks Win Game 2 in PG - Portland Winterhawks
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