Three-Goal Third Leads Hawks Past Cougars in Game 2
April 28, 2024 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Portland Winterhawks News Release
James Stefan, Diego Buttazzoni and Marcus Nguyen (EN) each scored in the third period to break open a tied game and lift the Winterhawks to a 5-3 victory over the Prince George Cougars in Game 2 of their Western Conference Championship series.
The series is now tied 1-1, with Games 3, 4 and 5 all coming this week in Portland at the VMC.
With the contest deadlocked at two goals apiece entering the third, Stefan made the most of a power-play chance at 7:33, wiring a one-timer past Josh Ravensbergen just 10 seconds into the man-advantage opportunity. Seven minutes later, Buttazzoni slotted his first of the postseason for what would become the game-winning goal, giving the Hawks some much-needed insurance and effectively deciding the game.
Following a scoreless first, Zac Funk put Prince George on the board midway through the middle frame on a power-play rush. But just 27 seconds later, the Winterhawks responded with back-to-back goals, just 17 seconds apart. Kyle Chyzowski posted the club's first goal fo the series, tapping in a Josh Zakreski rebound, and Jack O'Brien gave Portland its first lead right off the ensuing faceoff. The Cougars responded 1:03 later through Borya Valis to make it 2-2 entering the final frame.
Nguyen's empty-netter and a garbage-time tally from PG's Oren Shtrom brought the final to 5-3 at the CN Centre. Jan Špunar stopped 29 of 33 shots for Portland, outdueling Ravensbergen's 33-save effort at the other end.
The puck drops for Game 3 at the VMC on Monday, with Game 4 set for Wednesday and Game 5 on Thursday. All games start at 7:00 P.M.
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"We didn't play well last night, we knew that and knew what we needed to do...when you have the opportunity to bounce back, you're excited to do that."
Kyle Chyzowski meets with media after a Game 2 victory.#WHLPlayoffs | #FeedingTheFuture pic.twitter.com/HDvDUhKKIh
- Portland Winterhawks (@pdxwinterhawks) April 28, 2024
"We're gonna feed off our crowd for the games on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday...it should be exciting in Portland."
Mike Johnston meets with media after a Game 2 victory.#WHLPlayoffs | #FeedingTheFuture pic.twitter.com/YzhF7tlw6Y
- Portland Winterhawks (@pdxwinterhawks) April 28, 2024
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Tickets for the Winterhawks' 2024 WHL Playoffs run are on sale NOW! Click here to purchase single-game tickets (more games will be added as they are announced/needed) - be there as your hometown Hawks chase a fourth WHL Championship!
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Western Hockey League Stories from April 28, 2024
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- Blades Erase Two-Goal Deficit to Win Game 2 in Overtime - Saskatoon Blades
- Warriors Fall in Overtime in Game 2, Series Tied 1-1 - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Hawks Win Game 2 in PG - Portland Winterhawks
- Three-Goal Third Leads Hawks Past Cougars in Game 2 - Portland Winterhawks
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