T-Birds defeat Hawks
Published on October 10, 2004 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Portland Winterhawks News Release
SEATTLE, WA â The Seattle Thunderbirds scored on their first shot of the game, surged to a 4-0 lead in the first period and never looked back in a 4-2 win over the Portland Winter Hawks on Saturday night at the Key Arena. The game also featured Robin Big Snake's return to the Portland lineup...and the penalty box in his first WHL game of the season.
Portland entered Saturday's game atop the U.S. Division with a 4-2 record and Seattle was one game back with one less game played. Seattle spoiled Portland's home opener a week ago on October 2nd at the Rose Garden with a 2-0 win as Seattle netminder Bryan Bridges denied 34 Portland shots in the shutout. Portland hoped to return the favor and hand the Thunderbirds a season home opening loss of their own on Saturday but those hopes were quickly shattered. Seattle took advantage of a number of Portland mistakes and scored twice in the first three minutes of the game and added a pair of power play goals to roll to an early 4-0 lead just past the halfway point of the first period.
Mitch Fadden registered a pair of goals and an assist in the game, including the game's first goal at 2:07. Portland found themselves down by two thirty-three seconds later when Ladislav Scurco tallied his first of the season. Seattle's third goal of the night came on the power play, Thunderbird's center Aaron Gagnon extended Seattle's lead with his third goal of the season at 5:37 of the first. Fadden added his second of the night at 11:56 of the first which proved to be Seattle's only other power play goal (2/6 PP).
The much anticipated return of Robin Big Snake to the Portland lineup was both exciting and brief. Big Snake found himself in a one-sided fight in the first period of his very first WHL game this season. Thunderbird Yashar Farmanara approached Big Snake following Snake's powerful hit on Seattle defenseman Matthew Hansen. Apparently Big Snake took exception to Farmanara's comments and dropped the gloves. Three punches later Big Snake received the lone five-minute major and a game misconduct, due in large part to Farmanara's lack of participation in the fight. Robin Big Snake missed the Winter Hawks' first six games while attending the Hartford Wolfpack's camp (New York Rangers' AHL affiliate). Big Snake exited Saturday's game just 14 minutes into the first period.
Portland Captain Braydon Coburn lit the lamp and put the Hawks on the board at 13:21 of the first from Darrell May and Brian Woolger. Both teams had nine shots on goal after the first period. The stick blades would cool off in the second period, but not the temperaments as Portland's Dan Da Silva and Seattle's Bretton Stamler scrapped with 3:37 remaining in the period. The Thunderbirds led in shots on goal after two periods 23-14.
Following a likely locker pep talk during the intermission, the Winter Hawks responded in the third period. Portland out-shot the Thunderbirds in the third period 21-4, which led to Alex Aldred's first goal of the year on the power play at 17:23 (1/6 PP). During which time Portland Coach Mike Williamson had opted to pull Winter Hawk goaltender Dustin Butler (3:38 remaining in the game).
The risky move paid dividends and contributed to Portland's late third period rally. The Winter Hawks finished with the lead in shots on goal, 35-27. Nevertheless, Portland struggled to generate a consistent offensive attack early in the game, being stymied by Bridges and the more experienced Thunderbird defense for the second time in seven days. The loss moves Portland to 4-3 on the season but more importantly the Hawks now trail the season series with Seattle 0-2.
The Winter Hawks host the Lethbridge Hurricanes Sunday at 5 P.M. at the Memorial Coliseum. Every Sunday Winter Hawks game is a Taco Bell 2 for 1, visit your local participating Taco Bell or download your coupon at www.winterhawks.com. Don't miss the coolest game in Portland, call 236-HAWK and your Winter Hawks today! Remember you can catch all of Winter Hawks action this season with the voice of the Hawks, Dean Vrooman, on 970 AM KUPL.
Western Hockey League Stories from October 10, 2004
- Silvertips rally to win, 3-2 - Everett Silvertips
- Lethbridge Downs Winter Hawks - Portland Winterhawks
- Brandon Wheat Kings game notes - Brandon Wheat Kings
- T-Birds defeat Hawks - Portland Winterhawks
- Spokane beats Tri-City - Spokane Chiefs
- Everett Ties Lethbridge in OT - Everett Silvertips
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