(Swift Current, SK) On Wednesday evening the Portland Winterhawks (4-3-0-0) started the second half of their Central Division swing. The Swift Current Broncos (2-4-0-0) moved to the Central Division after the Kootenay ICE relocated to Winnipeg.
The Winterhawks came away with the 8-2 victory in front of 1,916 fans in attendance at the Innovation Credit Union i-plex.
The win was Portland’s first on their Central Division road trip. Reece Newkirk talked (via winterhawks.com) about the win after the game, “It is huge. Obviously we were on a three-game losing streak, so the guys came into today knowing we have got to get a win here. We know Swift is a hard-working team, so we had to come out and out-battle them, and I think today we did that.”
A night after Portland gave up three goals and 21 shots in the third period loss to the Medicine Hat Tigers, the Winterhawks responded in the first on Wednesday. Portland fired 17 shots at the net of Reece Klassen.
On the power play, Simon Knak scored his second goal of the season. Fellow 17-year-old forward Robbie Fromm-Delorme found the import winger on the right side for the chance.
The Winterhawks lead didn’t last long as Swift Current tied the game on a Aiden Bulych power-play goal; his first in the WHL.
Before the period ended, Reece Newkirk picked up a loose puck in the corner and found Seth Jarvis. The 17-year-old forward made a move on his backhand to get to his forehand. With the time and space created, his shot got by Klassen for a 2-1 Portland lead.
The second period was more of the same, power-play goals.
After a pair of slashing penalties gave the Broncos a five-on-three advantage, Ethan O’Rourke scored his first goal of the young 2019-2020 season.
A little over four minutes later, Portland responded on their next opportunity on the power play. Johnny Ludvig, Winterhawks captain, continued his early-season goal scoring. The puck was worked low to high, before the Kamloops native wired a wrist shot for his fourth of the season.
After a hit on Portland’s Jake Gricius, Nick Cicek and Jake Kustra dropped the gloves. The two defensemen exchanged some blows, one of which sent Kustra to the locker room.
The momentum the Winterhawks gained from the fight carried over to a power play about two minutes later.
Once again, the Portland power play made the young Broncos pay for taking a penalty. A quick passing play originated with Simon Knak. The Switzerland import got his pass through the penalty kill’s defensive box and found Jarvis. Seth did not waste anytime sending the puck up to Ludvig at the point who one-timed the pass. New York Islanders draft pick Reece Newkirk was in perfect position to deflect the puck into the twine for his first of the season.
Newkirk described scoring his first, “It was good. Kinda got lucky there. Johnny (Ludvig) just shot it, luckily it hit my stick, but it was a good shot by Johnny.”
Leading 4-2, Portland came out firing early and often in the third period scoring three goals in the first 7:27.
Fromm-Delorme used his speed and strength to drive the Swift Current defense back towards their own net. Cross Hanas found plenty of space to use a writ shot to go glove side for his third goal of the year.
On a delayed penalty the Winterhawks kept puck possession with the extra attacker long enough to get plenty of bodies to the front of the net. Defenseman Kade Nolan spotted the loose puck at the top of the crease. The 18-year-old, second-year defenseman backhanded the puck into the net for his first WHL goal. The celebration behind the Swift Current net lasted a few seconds longer as Nolan’s teammates all congratulated him.
Portland then extended their lead to five when Mason Mannek converted a Lane Gilliss backhand pass. Mannek worked his way to the soft area in the slot and away from any Broncos player. The Utah native made no mistake with his shot selection for his first of the season.
Lane Gilliss capped off the scoring on the evening with his second goal of the year. 18-year-old Jaydon Dureau stick lifted a Broncos player along the wall which got the puck to Gilliss. The Calgary, Alberta native then toe-dragged the puck around a defender freeing him to pick his spot.
After only getting six shots on net in the third period on Tuesday against Medicine Hat, Portland limited Swift Current to only six.
Going three-for-three on the power play was a key factor in the Winterhawks victory, especially after not getting an opportunity against the Tigers. Newkirk described their success, “(Kyle) Gustafson showed us some clips before the game and Johnny shooting there for the shot/pass. That’s what we were focusing on, and he did that. So he just came out, capitalized, and luckily we went three-for-three.”
The Winterhawks are now off until Friday when they face the Red Deer Rebels.
Swift Current is next in action on Saturday when they host the visiting Winnipeg Ice.
Notes:
– Kade Nolan and Aiden Bulych scored their first Western Hockey League goals on Wednesday. James Stefan picked up his first WHL point with an assist.
– Joel Hofer stopped 24-of-26 shots in his first visit back to Swift Current where he won a WHL Championship. Reece Klassen was making his first appearance for the Broncos after signing with them less than a week ago.
– Special teams were a factor in the outcome. Portland was a perfect three-for-three while Swift Current scored on two of their five opportunities.
– Faceoffs were an even 36-36 between the two teams.
– Jaydon Dureau and Reece Newkirk each had three assists.
