WHL Portland Winterhawks

Winterhawks Come Back to Extend Win Streak to Four in a Row

Published on December 15, 2021 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Portland Winterhawks News Release


Portland, Ore. - The Portland Winterhawks erased a two-goal deficit in the final seven minutes of play, then Gabe Klassen struck late in overtime to give the Winterhawks a 4-3 comeback victory over the visiting Everett Silvertips. The Hawks finished 7-1-3-0 on their franchise-long 11-game homestand and have now won four straight games heading into the weekend.

Following a scoreless opening 20 minutes, Klassen brought the crowd to its feet at 6:36 of the second period as he slotted home a loose puck through a crowd of bodies in front of the net. The tally marked Klassen's third consecutive game with a goal and helped the Hawks strike first for the fourth time in their last five contests.

Everett responded before the end of the frame, however, with three goals in a span of about three minutes. Nico Huuhtanen grabbed his 11th of the year on a wrist shot from the slot to knot the game at a goal apiece at 13:36. Michael Gut put the Silvertips ahead just over a minute later, taking the puck down low and cutting across the crease before lofting a backhander over the shoulder of Dante Giannuzzi. Finishing off the Everett barrage, Jackson Berezowski tallied his team-leading 20th goal of the year on the power play at 16:34 to boost the Silvertips to a 3-1 advantage.

Despite the deficit, Portland was long from out of this one, notching two goals in around two minutes during the final frame to force overtime. James Stefan and Jaydon Dureau combined for a beautiful give-and-go play to get within a goal at 13:19 at the third. Stefan broke into the offensive zone and dropped the puck for a trailing Dureau, who then found Stefan once more through a few defenders for a tap-in tally at the side of the net. Dureau then tied the game two minutes later with a long-range wrister that electrified the VMC.

In overtime, Cross Hanas scored the would-be game-winner, but saw his goal called off. Not to be denied, Hanas then picked up his 100th career WHL point as he showed off some nice moves in the slot to set up Klassen for a rocket off the crossbar and into the net, giving Portland its 4-3 comeback win.

Dante Giannuzzi, who has started each of Portland's four consecutive victories, finished with 27 saves on 30 shots. Braden Holt of Everett turned aside 35 of 39 Winterhawks shots in the Silvertips' loss.

Portland now heads on the road for a pair of games in Spokane ahead of the holiday break. The Winterhawks next home game is Tuesday, December 28th against Tri-City and the team will debut their white jerseys at home for the first time this season.

-- WINTERHAWKS.COM --

Ticket plans are now on sale for the 2021-22 season! Season Ticket Memberships are the best way to never miss a second of the action, including the same great seat to all 34 Winterhawks games at Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Our new Flex Packs give fans the flexibility of cheering on the Hawks all season long. Flex packs, which give nearly 30% savings, are purchased in increments of ten ticket vouchers so there is no limit to how much fun you can have! To learn more about all available ticketing options, visit Winterhawks.com.

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Western Hockey League Stories from December 15, 2021


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