Portland Winterhawks/Matthew Wolfe

Winterhawks defeat Chiefs 6-3 with five points from Gricius

(Spokane, WA) The first of eight matchups in 2019-2020 between the Portland Winterhawks (8-3-0-1) and the Spokane Chiefs (6-5-1-0) went in favor of the visitors. 

Jake Gricius recorded a career-high five points (2G, 3A) to help Portland to a 6-3 victory. 

17-year-old forward, Robbie Fromm-Delorme also had a banner evening with four assists. 

Robbie Fromm-Delorme (Photo- Portland Winterhawks/Matthew Wolfe)

Fellow 2002-born winger Cross Hanas opened the scoring for the Winterhawks just over five minutes into the game. Fromm-Delorme sent a hard pass to a net-driving Hanas who deflected the puck by Campbell Arnold. 

Import defenseman Filip Král tied the game for the Chiefs after a clean faceoff win by Jack Finley. Luke Toporowski bumped the puck back to the Toronto Maple Leafs draft pick. A screen provided in front of Hofer helped the puck find the twine. 

Ty Smith was called for cross checking sending the WHL’s top power play unit for their first opportunity. Simon Knak started the scoring play getting the puck to Gricius, and eventually to Winterhawks captain Johnny Ludvig. The 19-year-old Florida Panthers 3rd round selection wired a wrist shot home for his 7th goal of the year. 

The two U.S. Division rivals traded goals in the second period. 

First Cross Hanas netted his second of the contest on a power move in the slot. The Highland Village, Texas native went to his backhand to light the lamp for the 5th time this season. 

The Chiefs answered less than two minutes later as Cordel Larson found a loose puck to the right of Hofer. Adam Beckman and Eli Zummack led to the opportunity as they joined a three-on-one rush into the Portland zone. 

The Winterhawks brought a one-goal advantage to the third period and were looking to finish the game stronger than Wednesday evening against the Prince Albert Raiders. Two goals in the first eight minutes was a good start.

Seth Jarvis used his speed on a zone entry to draw a penalty shot. The 2020 NHL Draft eligible forward converted his opportunity electing to deke rather than shoot on Arnold. 

Jake Gricius pounced on a rebound 81 seconds later giving Portland a 5-2 advantage.

Luke Toporowski (Photo: Spokane Chiefs/Larry Brunt)

Bear Hughes and Luke Toporowski connected for Spokane less than a minute later to keep the game interesting. The goal for Toporowski was his 4th of the year and his second in as many games. For Hughes, the assist continued his strong start to the season as the 2001-born forward picked up his 7th point in nine games. 

Portland put the game away after Clay Hanus’ third shot of the shift was deflected in front by Gricius. 

The two teams combined for 68 shots on net. 

Campbell Arnold saved 27 of the 33 he faced while his counterpart, Joel Hofer, turned aside 32-of-35. 

Spokane will look to bounce back on Saturday night as they host the Prince Albert Raiders. 

Portland on the other hand does not play again until next Friday. The Winterhawks begin their first three-in-three of the season when they travel to Everett on November 1. Seattle and Kamloops then visit the Veterans Memorial Coliseum on Saturday and Sunday.