On Friday night the Tri-City Americans (17-36-4-1) painted the Toyota Center’s ice pink and wore special pink jerseys for their 15th Annual Breast Cancer Awareness game. A recently banged up Portland Winterhawks (41-10-3-4) made their first stop on a three games in three nights road trip.
Goaltender Dante Giannuzzi stopped 23-of-24 shots, and Mason Mannek scored the game winning goal while shorthanded to jump start the weekend for Portland in a 3-1 win over Tri-City.
Reece Newkirk, Simon Knak, and Jonas Brøndberg were all scratched for the Winterhawks.
A scary moment occurred late in the first period when Winterhawks captain, and Florida Panthers draft pick, Johnny Ludvig fell awkwardly along the boards. Play was halted immediately as both trainers came out to provide attention to the 19-year-old defenseman. Portland teammates helped Ludvig off the ice and down the tunnel — he did not return to the game. Late in the second period though the left-shooting rearguard was spotted near the bench in his suit watching the game next to his team.
A combined 29 shots were sent on net in the first 20 minutes. Americans starter Talyn Boyko was the busier of the two netminders seeing 19 of the 29; however, Giannuzzi faced several quality looks. Both turned aside every opportunity and kept the game even at zero heading into the locker room.
The goaltenders continued to have an answer for every shot as the second period moved along.
Seth Jarvis, the WHL’s second leading point scorer, was called for a 10-minute misconduct for a mouth guard infraction with 34 seconds left in the first period.
Shortly after being released from the box, a top prospect for the 2020 NHL Draft, Jarvis put another quality shift on tape. Hailing from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Jarvis was denied on a breakaway, stole two pucks on a backcheck, and won a 50/50 puck battle before eventually lighting the lamp.
“As soon as we got that one, it seemed like we got a little bit more life,” Mannek said.
The Winterhawks headed to the third period with a 1-0 advantage. When leading after 40 minutes Portland is now 31-1-2-0, but Tri-City made Portland earn the victory.
On the Americans fourth power play of the evening, Jaydon Dureau was strong on the backcheck forcing a turnover at center ice.
The puck went towards Mannek who chipped the puck by the last defender springing himself loose for a breakaway. The Utah native made no mistake and registered his second shorthanded goal of the season.
Trailing by two, Edge Lambert got Tri-City backing within striking distance. For the 16th time this season, the 18-year-old rookie from Grand Prairie, Alberta, found the back of the net — second most on the Americans.
The fifth time was the charm on the man advantage for the home side who solved Giannuzzi on a deflected shot from the point. A 17-year-old rookie goalie, Giannuzzi was locked in all night giving Portland an opportunity to find its footing.
“He was awesome,” Mannek commented. “I think that credits his preparation. When he does get his opportunity, he is always ready. Whether it is in practice or whatnot, he is always working to get better. I think it really shows in nights like these when he gets thrown in there. I thought he was awesome for us.”
As Tri-City looked to find an equalizer, head coach Kelly Buchberger pulled Boyko for the extra attacker. Unfortunately, a turnover just inside the Portland zone led to an empty net goal for Dureau to seal the 3-1 win.
With Everett winning in overtime against Kelowna, Portland needed the two points to remain one point ahead of the Silvertips for first place in the division. Mannek added, “No matter who we are playing, we are also playing Everett. We were down a couple of bodies, but thought the boys responded well. It was much needed, needed to get the two points.”
Portland will make its way to Kent, Washington in time to face the Seattle Thunderbirds who lost in Spokane on Friday. Tri-City will take its shot at the Chiefs on Saturday night in the second game of a back-to-back.
Notes:
– Talyn Boyko finished the evening with 34 saves on 36 shots.
– With a goal and an assist, Seth Jarvis extended his points streak to ten straight games.
– Portland was unable to score on any of its four power-play opportunities. Injuries up front meant different players saw ice time on the man advantage.
– There was no update from the team on the status of Johnny Ludvig following the game. Portland will be without Reece Newkirk, Simon Knak, and Jonas Brøndberg through the entire weekend.
