Cody Glass was back in the lineup after returning from the Vegas Golden Knights, and his presence was felt immediately. Glass had three assists and a shootout marker but Portland still fell 6-5.
In a game with dramatic momentum shifts, the Tri-City Americans seized control when the pressure increased. Trailing 5-3 entering the third period, Krystof Hrabik, 19-year-old import from Czech Republic, and Riley Sawchuk scored within a minute of each other forcing overtime. Portland thought they were in command earning a 5-on-3 power play in overtime. The Americans were able to kill both penalties thanks to a big block by assistant captain Parker AuCoin and solid goaltending by Beck Warm. Kyle Olson and Nolan Yaremko scored in the shootout giving Tri-City the additional point.
After practice on Thursday, Winterhawks assistant coach Kyle Gustafson mentioned his team was “in a hole after starting the season 0-2.” I doubt he was pleased with his team’s start tonight falling behind early 2-0. AuCoin took advantage of a Joachim Blichfeld turnover at his own blue line. Connor Bouchard then scored two shots later on a rebound Shane Farkas kicked into the slot.
Later in the first, a tremendous pad save by Warm on Seth Jarvis spoiled a great cross-ice pass from Cross Hanas keeping Portland off the score sheet.
Portland would not be kept off for long though as Jared Freadrich continues to impress on the power play as his low point shot was tipped by Jake Gricius for his the big center’s first goal of the season.
Portland struggled in the second period in their first two games this season, but that was not the case this time, as they scored four goals tonight. Head coach Mike Johnston adjusted his top line in the period by playing Reece Newkirk with Glass and Joachim Blichfeld. The trio combined for three goals and four assists in the middle frame. Blichfeld started a beautiful tic-tac-toe goal with a spinning backhand pass to Glass who found Reece Newkirk all alone in front. A little over six minutes later, Glass and Newkirk got behind the Americans’ defense. Glass sent a saucer pass to Newkirk for the easy tap-in goal, his second of the night.
The Americans would not go away though and tied the score at three with Yaremko tallying his third goal of the season. Tri-City then almost took the 4-3 lead, but Jared Freadrich blocked a sure goal with Farkas 15 feet out of his net. The block was massive for Portland as the Winterhawks transitioned up-ice and Blichfeld restored the lead at 4-3.
Portland’s penalty woes this season continued as they took nine minor penalties tonight, seven resulting in Tri-City power plays. While the Winterhawks were 6-for-7 killing penalties, playing shorthanded took Portland out of their rhythm.
The Winterhawks are still searching for their first win this season and hope playing in the friendly confines of the Moda Center tomorrow night will yield the results they are seeking.
Notes:
– Cody Glass started on a line with Jaydon Dureau and Joachim Blichfeld before Newkirk and Dureau traded spots.
– The line of Jarvis, Hanas, Kvasnica remained together for third straight game.
– Glass scored the lone goal for the Winterhawks in the shootout. Joachim Blichfeld, Cross Hanas, and Jake Gricius were all stopped on their attempts.
– Haydn Delorme saw his first WHL action with Portland
– Nick Cicek drew back in the lineup for the second game as the sixth defenseman.
