Nguyen Sends 14,787 Teddy Bears Flying in 4-3 Win
Published on December 11, 2022 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Portland Winterhawks News Release
Portland, Ore. - Marcus Nguyen tallied the Teddy Bear Toss goal and the shootout winner as the Portland Winterhawks (20-4-2-1) picked up 4-3 win over the Seattle Thunderbirds (19-4-1-1) in front of a sell-out crowd of 9,863 at the VMC on Saturday night.
A total of 14,787 teddy bears were collected during the battle of the top two teams in the Western Conference.
Nguyen brought the crowd to its feet and the teddy bears to the ice just 8:26 into the first period as he rattled a breakaway through the legs of Scott Ratzlaff. After a delay to pick up the stuffed animals, Portland poured on the pressure and Dawson Pasternak made it 2-0 at 9:15 of the frame, chipping home a Marek Alscher rebound to double the hosts' advantage.
Following a scoreless second period, the Hawks' 2-0 lead slipped away in the third as the T-Birds tallied twice in 1:28 with Bryce Pickford and Nico Myatovic markers. Then, with just under four minutes to play, Jared Davidson gave the visitors a 3-2 lead with a one-time shot from the right circle. Portland pulled Dante Giannuzzi for a sixth attacker, and it paid off with 30 seconds remaining as James Stefan stripped Ratzlaff behind the Seattle net, then found Luca Cagnoni streaking into the slot for a one-timer into a yawning cage and a tied game.
After overtime yielded no goals, Nguyen grabbed the only goal of the shootout and Giannuzzi stopped all three Seattle shooters for the win.
The Winterhawks are back in action at the VMC tomorrow at 5:00 P.M. against the Everett Silvertips.
Western Hockey League Stories from December 11, 2022
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- Big First Period Leads Portland Past Tips 4-2 - Everett Silvertips
- Hawks Top Tips 4-2 for Third Straight Win - Portland Winterhawks
- Pats Unable to Break the ICE in 6-1 Loss - Regina Pats
- ICE Dominate Regina - Winnipeg Ice
- Hitmen Knock off Wheat Kings Sunday - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Hitmen Head Home with a Win over Brandon - Calgary Hitmen
- Mechura Brings the Bears in Teddy Bear Toss Victory - Tri-City Americans
- Game Day Hub: December 11 vs. Everett - Portland Winterhawks
- Wheat Kings Look to Sweep Weekend - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Pats Take on ICE to End 3-In-3 - Regina Pats
- ICE vs Regina Pats, 5:00 at the ICE Cave Inside Wayne Fleming Arena - Winnipeg Ice
- Blades Man-Handle Raiders 9-0 for Sixth Straight Win - Saskatoon Blades
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- G-Men Win Thriller 3-2 in OT - Vancouver Giants
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- Broncos Gain Point But Fall in Shootout to Hurricanes - Swift Current Broncos
- Desjardins Wins 400th Game As Tigers' Head Coach In Win Over Moose Jaw - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Pats Take out Hitmen 5-2 in Their Annual Teddy Toss Game - Regina Pats
- Warriors Stumble in Loss to Tigers - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Nguyen Sends 14,787 Teddy Bears Flying in 4-3 Win - Portland Winterhawks
- T-Birds Fall in Shootout to Portland - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Rockets Stopped 3-2 - Kelowna Rockets
- Royals Wrap-Up Okanagan Road Trip with Loss to Kamloops - Victoria Royals
- Chiefs Drop Fourth Straight to Brandon Wheat Kings, 2-1 - Spokane Chiefs
- Desjardins Reaches 400 Wins in Tiger Colours - Medicine Hat Tigers
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