Winterhawks edge T-Birds in first meeting at ShoWare | WHL

The Portland Winterhawks defeated the Seattle Thunderbirds 2-1 Saturday night in their first visit to the ShoWare Center this season.

  • BY Wire Service
  • Sunday, December 14, 2014 1:30pm
  • News
Portland's Layne Viveiros battles Seattle's Justin Hickman for the puck during WHL action Saturday night.

Portland's Layne Viveiros battles Seattle's Justin Hickman for the puck during WHL action Saturday night.

For the Reporter

The Portland Winterhawks defeated the Seattle Thunderbirds 2-1 Saturday night in their first visit to the ShoWare Center this season.

Seattle had won the previous three matchups between the division rivals this season, all of which were played in Portland. Seattle falls to 13-15-2-2 on the season. Portland is 18-14-0-3.

Taran Kozun started in net for the T-Birds. Kozun made 23 saves on 25 shots, taking his 10th loss of the season. Kozun is 12-10-2-2. In net for Portland was Brendan Burke, making his 18th appearance of the season. Burke made 34 saves on 35 shots. Burke improves to 7-7-0-3 overall this year.

In the second period, the Winterhawks scored the game’s first goal at 3:30 on a power play. Chase De Leo took a screened shot from a sharp angle in the faceoff circle that went over Kozun’s shoulder for the goal. Keoni Texeira and Blake Heinrich had the assists.

Keegan Kolesar tied the game at 6:15, scoring while Portland was down a man due to a delayed penalty. Ryan Gropp’s pass to a T-Bird in the slot went past untouched and found Kolesar instead, who was cutting to the net down the right wing. Kolesar fired a laser past Burke, making it 1-1. Ryan Gropp and Justin Hickman had the assists.

Hickman had a chance at the front of the net five minutes into the third period. A shot from the point hit Burke in the pads but the goaltender couldn’t cover it up as Hickman fought for it. The puck eventually trickled back out into the slot away from Hickman where Portland was able to take control. The T-Birds forecheck led to a steal and a shot from Ethan Bear that bounced off the crossbar on its way to the sideboards.

Scott Eansor nearly put Seattle up while shorthanded at 7:30. Eansor collected the puck after a clearance by the T-Birds hit a linesman. The speed of Eansor allowed him to circle around Portland’s defense and skate across goal, where his shot was poked away by Burke’s leg.

Miles Koules made it 2-1 Portland at 12:39.

Seattle went to six attackers and no goalie with 2:40 left in the game. A promising attack was snuffed out when the puck jumped over a Seattle stick at the blue line, an occurrence that repeated itself with 40 seconds left and helped Portland seal its victory.

T-Birds welcome a Seahawk

The last game before the holiday break is 7:05 p.m. Tuesday at the ShoWare Center. The 2-for-Tuesday game will feature Seattle Seahawks tight end Luke Willson dropping the ceremonial first puck.

Tickets are available online at the T-Birds website and at the ShoWare Center box office. The ShoWare Center Box Office is open Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday game days at 10 a.m. and Sunday game days at noon.

Season tickets can be purchased by calling the T-Birds office at 253-239-7825.

SCORING SUMMARY

First period – No scoring. Penalties – Bench, Seattle (too many men-served by Volcan), 19:09.

Second period – 1, Portland, De Leo 17 (Texeira, Heinrich), 3:30 (pp). 2, Seattle, Kolesar 10 (Gropp, Hickman), 6:15. Penalties – Spencer, Seattle (holding), 2:11. Overhardt, Portland (roughing), 4:01. Bear, Seattle (roughing), 4:01. Cederholm, Portland (cross-checking), 6:45. Ottenbreit, Seattle (tripping), 14:18. Weinger, Portland (tripping), 18:40.

Third period – 2, Portland, Koules 14 (Heinrich), 12:39. Penalties – Gropp, Seattle (high-sticking), 6:49.

Shots on goal – Seattle 12-11-12 35, Portland 8-5-12 25. Goalies – Seattle, Kozun 25 shots-23 saves (12-10-2-2); Portland, Burke 35-34 (7-7-0-3). Power plays – Seattle 0-2; Portland 1-4. A – 4,036. Referees – Brett Iverson, Mike Langin. Linesmen – Zach Brooks, Ron Dietterle.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in News

Kent police investigate fatal two-vehicle collision

The collision killed a woman and left a 45-year-old Tacoma driver, suspected of intoxication at the time of the crash, hospitalized.

Competing for the 8th Congressional District: Carmen Goers, left, and Kim Schrier. COURTESY PHOTOS
Adam Smith and Kim Schrier will retain Congress seats | Election 2024

Smith represents the 9th Congressional District and Schrier represents the 8th Congressional District.

Courtesy of Democratic Caucus
Pictured left to right: Sen. Bob Hasegawa (D), Rep. David Hackney, and Rep. Steve Bergquist
Democratic incumbents in lead for 11th Legislative District

Bob Hasegawa, David Hackney and Steve Bergquist have strong leads, with Hasegawa and Hackney running unopposed.

Debra Entenman and Kyle Lyebyedyev. File photos
Entenman and Stearns lead in 47th District | Election 2024

The district includes Kent, Covington and Auburn.

File photo
Kent School District levy is failing at the polls | Election 2024

Early election results show voters rejecting the proposed Capital Projects and Technology Levy.

Larry Best, a customer coordinator for quality assurance who has worked at Boeing for 38 years, stands outside of Angel of the Winds Arena with a “vote no” sign on Monday in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Boeing Machinists approve contract, ending 52-day strike

After voting no twice, 59% of union members approved the latest contract.

Photos from the United States Attorney's Office Western District of Washington press release.
Kent man arrested in connection to violent drug trafficking gang investigation

Law enforcement seized more than 20 kilograms of fentanyl, 60 firearms, and more than $130,000 in cash.

Courtesy Photo, King County
Son accused of fatally shooting mother’s boyfriend in Kent back in jail

Dondre Butler has 3 violations in 13 months of electronic home detention after charged with murder in 2022

t
Kent Police targeted street patrols result in arrest of two felons

One driver spotted in a vehicle with no plates; another driver reportedly in a stolen vehicle

t
Kent cold case murder suspect back in state after governor’s warrant | Update

Kenneth Kundert fought extradition from Arkansas after August arrest in 1980 killing of Dorothy Silzel

t
City of Kent eyes November opening for Reith Road roundabouts

Two more roundabouts will bring total in city to six; three more in future plans