Winterhawks Win Big by Scoring Seven on Friday Night
March 26, 2022 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Portland Winterhawks News Release
Portland, Ore. - The Winterhawks hit the ground running and never looked back on Friday as they cruised to a 7-1 win over the visiting Americans at the VMC. Gabe Klassen scored twice and added two assists as one of four Winterhawks with three or more points in this contest, joining James Stefan (1G, 2A) Cross Hanas (3A) and Jaydon Dureau (3A).
It was all Hawks from the get-go in this one as the home team was up by a pair before two minutes had passed. Jack O'Brien started the onslaught with his 11th of the year just 53 seconds in, followed shortly after by Klassen's first of the night at 1:45. Klassen then made it 3-0 at 13:24 - becoming the third Winterhawks to net his 30th goal of the season - following an outstanding individual effort by Dureau to juggle and control the puck, then find Klassen with a no-look pass at the right circle.
Wrapping up an explosive opening frame, Ryder Thompson nabbed his first WHL goal at 16:04, ripping a shot from the high slot after Hanas found him with a pass from the right corner. Portland's dominance continued into the second stanza, with goals from James Stefan and Clay Hanus - celebrating his 250th game and 21st birthday - in the opening seven minutes and change, though Tri-City eventually broke Taylor Gauthier's shutout bid at 8:11 as Ethan Ernst found twine. But before the period was done, Luke Schelter helped the Hawks to a 7-1 lead with his ninth of the season.
Both teams swapped their goalies to start the final frame, but neither conceded as the second intermission score line held to the finish. For Portland, Gauthier finished with 19 saves on 20 shots and Dante Giannuzzi turned aside all nine shots he faced in the third.
The Hawks now head north to face off with the Silvertips in Everett on Saturday. Puck drop is set for 6:05 P.M. for that heavyweight clash tomorrow, one of three head-to-head meetings remaining in the final seven regular-season games.
Western Hockey League Stories from March 26, 2022
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- T-Birds Power Past Vancouver - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Americans Host Chiefs for Last Head-To-Head Regular Season Game - Tri-City Americans
- Game Day Hub: March 26 at Everett - Portland Winterhawks
- Chiefs End Season Series with Americans on the Road Saturday - Spokane Chiefs
- Pats Begin Three Game Homestand against Wheat Kings - Regina Pats
- Huuhtanen Nets First Career Hat Trick in 7-2 Home Win over Spokane - Everett Silvertips
- Chiefs Drop 12th Straight to Everett, 7-2 - Spokane Chiefs
- Americans Defeated in Portland - Tri-City Americans
- Royals Make It Five Straight with 4-2 Victory over Cougars - Victoria Royals
- Third Period Letdown Sinks Cougars - Prince George Cougars
- Winterhawks Win Big by Scoring Seven on Friday Night - Portland Winterhawks
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