WHL Portland Winterhawks

Hawks Win Shootout Thriller 4-3

November 23, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Portland Winterhawks News Release


Portland, Ore. - Josh Davies' second straight two-goal game and some shootout heroics from Gabe Klassen, James Stefan and Luke Brunen helped the Winterhawks take a 4-3 SO win over the Victoria Royals on Wednesday.

Brunen stopped three of Victoria's four shooters in the breakaway contest, while Stefan and Klassen outmatched Robin Sapousek's lone tally for the Royals to give Portland the win.

Fresh off his 100th WHL point on Sunday, Davies wasted little time opening the scoring as he chipped home a loose puck in the crease just under two minutes into the contest. Victoria's power play got the Royals back into the game at 9:32 on rookie Cole Reschny's sixth of the year, but the Winterhawks reclaimed the lead before the end of the frame. Kyle Chyzowski found Josh Zakreski at the offensive blue line, who then dished a perfect saucer feed over to Diego Buttazzoni, who showed off some slick moves for his 11th of the season.

Portland kept control in the middle frame, adding to its lead through Davies' second of the night as he hammered home a one-timer from Gabe Klassen at the side of the net, but Victoria mounted an efficient comeback in the final frame to tie things up at three. Casper Evensen Haugen struck first at 1:25 of the period, followed just over 90 seconds later by former Winterhawk Dawson Pasternak knotting the score with plenty of game left.

Both teams had their chances, but neither found a winner in regulation or overtime, forcing a shootout to decide the contest. Brunen, making his first start on home ice, stopped 24 of 27 shots through 65 minutes for the Hawks, while Braden Holt put away 30 of 33 for Victoria.

Portland's back in action on Friday in Everett, then on home ice Saturday and Sunday to take on Saskatoon and Spokane.

-- WINTERHAWKS.COM -

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Western Hockey League Stories from November 23, 2023


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