Teddy Bear Toss Heroics in Portland
December 8, 2019 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Portland Winterhawks News Release
The Portland Winterhawks shut out the Prince George Cougars 3-0 for the second time this week as the Hawks won their 22nd annual Les Schwab Teddy Bear Toss game. Alternate captain Lane Gilliss scored his second consecutive Teddy Bear Toss goal, becoming the fourth Winterhawks to ever score two Teddy Bear Toss goals in their WHL playing career.
Gilliss scored in the seventh minute of the game, prompting 11,156 teddy bears to come on to the rink and shower the Hawks celebrating at center ice. Portland extended the lead to 3-0 in the second period with big time goals from Reece Newkirk and Simon Knak to steal all the momentum.
Portland is now 3-0-0-0 against the Cougars this season and the two teams will meet for the final time during the regular season on Sunday for a 5:00 p.m. puck drop at Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
NOTABLES:
Saturday night was just the third time in Winterhawks Teddy Bear Toss history they shut out their opponent. The last one took place in 2006 against Vancouver 1-0 in overtime.
Ty Rattie (2010 & 2011), Luke Walker (2007 & 2008) and Brandon Dubinsky (2003 & 2005) were the other Hawks to score
Joel Hofer secured his second shutout of the week, fourth of the season and eighth of his WHL career.
Reece Newkirk extended his goal streak to four-in-a-row, which is tied for the longest active goal-scoring streak in the WHL.
Simon Knak scored his sixth goal of the season. He is eighth in rookie scoring with 18 points and will leave on Monday for Team Switzerland's World Junior selection camp.
Portland held Prince George to just three shots in the third period, the least shots the Hawks allowed in a period this season.
Box Score (Click the hyperlink to find all the scoring details)
SHOTS ON GOAL:
POR: 46
PG: 25
POWER PLAY:
POR: 0/5
PG: 0/4
SAVES:
POR: Joel Hofer stopped 25-of-25 shots.
PG: Taylor Gauthier stopped 43-of-46 shots.
Western Hockey League Stories from December 8, 2019
- Giants Earn a Teddy Bear Toss Victory Sunday at Rogers Arena - Vancouver Giants
- Silvertips Double Hitmen 6-3 - Calgary Hitmen
- Blazers' Zary Added to Canada's National Junior Team Sport Chek Selection Camp Roster - WHL
- Calgary Hitmen Game Preview - Sunday, December 8 vs. Everett - Calgary Hitmen
- Game Day Hub: December 8 - Portland Winterhawks
- Ams Lose Back-And-Forth Battle with Spokane - Tri-City Americans
- McIndoe Sends the Bears Flying as Oil Kings Capture a Point against Hitmen - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Wolf, Silvertips Blank Medicine Hat, 5-0 - Everett Silvertips
- Rockets Down Blades in Shootout - Saskatoon Blades
- Franchise Record 8,604 Bears Fly in Sold out Chiefs Victory - Spokane Chiefs
- Royals Battle Past Thunderbirds - Victoria Royals
- Tigers Winning Streak Snapped - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Hofer Has Cougars' Number Again: 0 - Prince George Cougars
- ICE Win 7th Home Game in a Row; Beat Kamloops 5-4 in OT - Winnipeg Ice
- Rebels Misfire in Otherwise Strong Third Period, Fall 3-2 to Pats - Red Deer Rebels
- Royals Defeat T-Birds in Second of Back-To-Back Games in Victoria - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Teddy Bear Toss Heroics in Portland - Portland Winterhawks
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