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WHL Portland Winterhawks

Three-Goal Third Propels Hawks to Game 1 Comeback Victory

March 30, 2024 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Portland Winterhawks News Release


Luca Cagnoni scored twice to lead the Winterhawks to a 4-3 win over Victoria in Game 1 of their first-round series on Friday.

Round 1, Game 1: Portland (4) vs. Victoria (3)

SOG: POR (34) - VIC (25)

PP: POR (1/2) - VIC (1/5)

Saves: Špunar (22/25) - Holt (30/34)

COMPLETE BOX SCORE

SCORING:

POR - First Period - 8:31 - Luca Cagnoni (1) from Nate Danielson and Marcus Nguyen

VIC - First Period - 9:45 - Tyson Laventure (1)

VIC - Second Period - 18:03 - Tanner Scott (1) from Justin Kipkie and Casper Evensen Haugen

POR - Third Period - 5:00 - Carter Sotheran (1) from Hudson Darby and Ryan Miller

POR - Third Period - 10:18 - Gabe Klassen (1) from James Stefan and Carter Sotheran

POR - Third Period - 13:55 - Luca Cagnoni (2) from James Stefan and Nate Danielson

VIC - Third Period - 19:36 - Nate Misskey (1) from Dawson Pasternak and Justin Kipkie

The Story:

A three-goal third period and two tallies from Luca Cagnoni helped the Winterhawks pick up a 4-3 comeback victory over the Victoria Royals in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series.

Down 2-1 entering the final frame, Portland posted three consecutive goals open up the largest lead of the game. Carter Sotheran netted the equalizer five minutes into the period, deftly eluding an oncoming defender at the blue line and wiring a shot from the top of the circle. Five minutes later, James Stefan dished to Gabe Klassen on a 2-on-1, and the Hawks captain made no mistake for the go-ahead goal. Cagnoni concluded the scoring spree with a power-play bomb from the blue line for his second of the night at 13:55. Cagnoni's goal became the game-winner when Nate Misskey netted a garbage-time tally for Victoria.

Cagnoni's first of the night opened the scoring in the contest following sustained pressure by Portland. The San Jose Sharks prospect took a seam pass from Nate Danielson and tucked it stick side on Braden Holt for an early lead. Victoria, to its credit, pushed back and took the lead in the following period and a half. Tyson Laventure grabbed the equalizer just over a minute after Cagnoni's opening strike, then Tanner Scott broke a deadlock late in the second period with a rebound goal at 18:03 of the middle frame.

Jan Špunar finished with 22 saves on 25 shots for his fifth career playoff win, while Victoria's Braden Holt posted 30 saves on 34 shots in his team's loss.

The two clubs face off for Game 2 tomorrow at 6:00 P.M. at the VMC.

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Western Hockey League Stories from March 30, 2024


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