Late Rally Falls Short as Winterhawks Fall to Thunderbirds, 5-3
Published on January 18, 2026 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Portland Winterhawks News Release
Kent, Wash. - Two late goals from Jake Gustafson and Luke Wilfley were not enough to propel the Portland Winterhawks past the Seattle Thunderbirds on Saturday night, as Seattle took a 5-3 victory at accesso ShoWare Center.
Game #44: Portland (3) vs. Seattle (5)
SOG: POR (35) - SEA (28)
PP: POR (1/8) - SEA (3/9)
Saves: Štěbeták (30) - Sklenicka (25)
COMPLETE BOX SCORE
SCORING:
POR - Alex Weiermair (24) from Jordan Duguay and Ryan Miller
SEA - Antonio Martorana (18) from Noah Kosick and Brock England
SEA - Matthew Gard (8) from Matej Pekar and Noah Kosick
SEA - Noah Kosick (11) from Radim Mrtka and Cameron Schmidt
SEA - Matthew Gard (9) from Noah Kosick and Radim Mrtka
SEA - Sawyer Mayes (9) from Simon Lovsin and Radim Mrtka
POR - Luke Wilfley (3) from Griffin Darby
POR - Jake Gustafson (12) from Sam Spehar
GAME SUMMARY:
Portland, playing its first game in Seattle of the season, got the scoring started behind Alex Weiermair's power play goal. The play generated from a tic-tac-toe passing sequence between Ryan Miller and Jordan Duguay. The Thunderbirds then tore ahead with five unanswered goals between the first and third periods. The Winterhawks would strike late with two goals inside the final two minutes of the third period - the first from Luke Wilfley and the second from Jake Gustafson.
Time ran down as the Thunderbirds held on for a 5-3 final.
UP NEXT:
The Winterhawks are back in action on Martin Luther King Jr. Monday for a matinee tilt against the Spokane Chiefs. It's Tommypalooza and Mascot Mayhem at the Glass Palace! Join us to celebrate our favorite mascot's seventh birthday with all his mascot friends!
Reminder, you can watch all Portland Winterhawks games on Victory+ for free all season long! Click here to visit the Winterhawks hub or download the Victory+ app on your smartphone or connected device.
The Portland Winterhawks are commemorating 50 Years of Hawkey this season with a year-long tribute to the team's rich history and legendary players. As part of the celebration, the Top 50 Winterhawks of All Time will be unveiled throughout the season-starting with an alphabetical reveal on October 25 and culminating in the announcement of the Top 10 on March 7, 2026. Fans can look forward to special events, tributes, and a season full of memories honoring five decades of Winterhawks hockey.
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Western Hockey League Stories from January 18, 2026
- Game Preview: Cougars at Giants - Prince George Cougars
- Cougars Edge Rockets, 3-2, in Overtime - Kelowna Rockets
- Late Rally Falls Short as Winterhawks Fall to Thunderbirds, 5-3 - Portland Winterhawks
- Edmonstone Deals Wenatchee 3-0 Defeat in Kamloops Saturday - Wenatchee Wild
- Chiefs Earn a Point, Fall in OT for First Time this Season - Spokane Chiefs
- Giants Fall on the Road, 4-1, to League-Leading Silvertips - Vancouver Giants
- T-Birds Power Past Portland - Seattle Thunderbirds
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