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WHL Portland Winterhawks

Winterhawks Earn Point on Pacific Office Automation Opening Night

March 19, 2021 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Portland Winterhawks News Release


Portland Winterhawks right wing Mason Mannek
Portland Winterhawks right wing Mason Mannek
(Portland Winterhawks)

Showing no signs of inactivity, Portland came firing out of the game, claiming an early advantage on shots and eventually the first goal.

Mason Mannek staked his claim as the first goal scorer of the season just past the five minute mark of the game, redirecting a power play drive to give the Winterhawks the lead in the scoring department as well.

The visiting side would continue to roll, successfully continuing to get pucks on net as the period progressed. Before they could walk their 1-0 lead into the intermission though, a back-door tap-in from Jake Sloan of Tri-City brought the game to even. A stretch pass through the neutral zone beat a few 'Hawks up the wall and Tyson Greenway fed a pass from right-to-left on Dante Giannuzzi that was shoved in before Portland could recover.

After allowing their first goal, a swift response came just 76 seconds later for the team. A two-on-one for almost the full length of the ice between Simon Knak and Reece Newkirk was poked home by Newkirk, retaking the lead for his club, 2-1.

Portland concluded their first period of the year with the lead, but the only goal of the second belonged to Tri-City as they began to force their will. 2020 Colorado Avalanche draft selection Sasha Mutala wound up and blasted home a one-timer from his back leg on the power play to make it 2-2.

The tight, grindy contest remained at that score for the next 30 minutes of play, bringing the play of both goaltenders to light. Giannuzzi, who finished with 30 saves, put together some of his best work of the game, notably turning away a strong chance from Booker Daniel late in the second.

After both sides had earned a point and the game went to overtime, two penalties on Portland eventually guided Tri-City to a home-ice season opening victory on the power play. An initial shot by the Americans was blocked by Jonas Brondberg, but the puck was recovered by the opponents and fed to Samuel Hoe on the doorstep for the victory.

THEY SAID IT

"I liked our start. I thought our start was very good. I thought we had possession and we had speed. As the game went on I thought [Tri-City] got a bit better and I didn't think we made good decisions with the puck. I thought we could've put a lot more shots on net. We passed up some good shooting opportunities and tried to pass the puck a little bit too much. It was basically a close game that came down to penalties in overtime." - Winterhawks Vice President, General Manager and Head Coach Mike Johnston following the contest.

NOTES:

Just 6:34 into Portland's season opener, Mason Mannek struck on the power play for the team's first goal of the season. The redirection was assisted by returners Robbie Fromm-Delorme.

Late in the first period Tri-City evened the contest at 1-1, however New York Islanders prospect Reece Newkirk put home a second effort following a two-on-one to retake the lead for Portland just a minute later.

The Americans would once again tie the game with the lone goal of the second period and a 2-2 score would hold all the way until overtime. In the bonus period Tri-City would capitalize on the power play, earning the 3-2 win.

Dante Giannuzzi stopped 30 of 33 shots faced for Portland.

NEXT WINTERHAWKS GAME:

Portland Winterhawks at Seattle Thunderbirds

Saturday, March 20 at 5:05 p.m.

accesso ShoWare Center - Kent, WA

First Second Third OT Final

Portland 2 0 0 0 2

Tri-City 1 1 0 1 3

POST-GAME RECORDS:

Portland: 0-0-1-0

Tri-City: 1-0-0-0

SPECIAL TEAMS:

Portland: 1/5

Tri-City: 2/5

SHOTS:

Portland: 29

Tri-City: 33

Check out the Portland Winterhawks Statistics




Images from this story

Portland Winterhawks right wing Mason Mannek
Portland Winterhawks right wing Mason Mannek
   



Western Hockey League Stories from March 19, 2021


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