Portland had to wait until their fourth game of the season before experiencing home-ice advantage. The 8,208 Winterhawks faithful were fired up early and often on Saturday night at the Moda Center as fans were treated to an excellent game with 74 combined shots. In the end, Portland secured their first win this season thanks in large part to three power play goals.
Reece Newkirk turned a strong preseason into playing with two of Portland’s NHL drafted players. His style of play compliments both Cody Glass (First Round Vegas Golden Knights) and Joachim Blichfeld (Seventh round San Jose Sharks) as he plays a strong game along the right side after transitioning to wing. Head coach Mike Johnston mentioned he was “looking at different options to play with Cody and Joachim, Newkirk impressed the first shift I put him out there and it stuck.” Johnston would continue to give high praise to Newkirk describing him as “energetic and hard-working guy who NHL teams will be looking at closely this year.” Glass was also quick to comment on what Reece brings as a second-year player, “he works hard and is not scared of anything. He is not afraid to get into the dirty areas. Reece is a real skilled player so he completes our line.”
Blichfeld got fans out of their seats moments into the game as he made an inside-out move on Seattle’s defenseman before Liam Hughes made a blocker save. If the fans were not already into the game, they were in full voice when Blichfeld fought Reece Harsch after the two had a disagreement in front of Seattle’s net. Portland took two early penalties, but the crowd rewarded the penalty kill units with a loud ovation after successfully defending both.
Portland found their legs late in the period and forced Seattle into taking two penalties. Jake Gricius took a pass from Cody Glass and shot high glove. The result, ACDC’s TNT played for the first time in the Moda Center this season and Portland had a 1-0 lead.
Less than 15 seconds into the second period Shane Farkas fumbled a puck behind the net. After the initial wrap-around chance was blocked, Zack Andrusiak scored his second goal of the season on the rebound. Seattle had found new life and used an aggressive forecheck to pin Portland in their own zone several shifts in a row.
The Winterhawks regained their composure and were able to get the crowd back involved as Jared Freadrich drew a penalty. Jared has been strong on the power play so far this season, but tonight he took his play to a whole other level. Once again, his ability to get his shot through traffic resulted in a power play goal for Portland. His shot was deflected high in the air, and Newkirk was able to bat the puck into the net out of midair. Reece said “I was the only one who knew where it went”.
Portland’s newest assistant coach, Don Hay, described Freadrich’s play on the power play as a “calming influence.” Hay said the younger players “are watching Jared’s work ethic in practice and seeing how it carries into games.”
Freadrich finished the night with four points including the game winning goal on the power play. His initial shot went wide to Hughes’ right, but banked in off the 19-year-old’s pad.
The decibel level peaked 15:05 into the second period after what looked like an innocent play. Carolina Hurricanes draft pick Brendan De Jong was cross-checked while on the ice; mayhem ensued. Both Winterhawks fans and Thunderbirds fans who made the drive south were on their feet as a near line brawl followed. A long delay was needed for the referees to sort through the chaos. After discussion and all the leftover equipment was picked up, Seattle’s Cade McNelly and Cody Savey, and Portland’s Robbie Fromm-Delorme received game misconducts. 45 minutes of penalties were distributed, Seattle receiving an additional seven, resulting in the ultra-rare seven-minute power play for Portland.
That would be the same power-play Fredrich scored the game-winner on.
Portland returns to the road for two games in Kamloops on Wednesday and Friday. Mike Johnston said “starting the season with one home game in our first seven isn’t easy, but the players are up for the challenge.”
Notes:
– Defenseman Nick Perna made his WHL debut after being injured in training camp. Mike Johnston wanted to wait to play him in a home game where “we could manage his minutes.” Johnston had high marks for Perna saying “I thought he looked pretty smooth, calm under pressure, and has a high upside.”
– Post game Mike Johnston confirmed Ryan Hughes is close to returning “within the next week or so”
– Lukus MacKenzie is officially off Portland’s roster. Johnston commented, “He had a bad shoulder injury two years ago, he re-injured it when he was here, rehabbed all summer, came in great shape, but at his age he lost his passion to play at this level. He felt it might be better for him to get on with his schooling, and I commend him for that. He’s a great kid, a good person, and I think everybody reaches those crossroads and Lukus decided it was that time for him; so, I respect that. I told him I want to make sure we keep in touch and he gets on with his schooling, which he is and that’s very important for him.”
– Johnston commented on the trade for Rylan Bettens, “we were looking to acquire some depth up front, we feel our defensive depth is really good right now. I like Bettens, and I’ve watched him before. I like the way he plays. He is in the right age slot for our team.”
