RECAP: Winterhawks celebrate 20s, fall to Americans 4-2
On Friday, the Portland Winterhawks celebrated 20-year-olds Tyson Jugnauth, Ryder Thompson, and captain Kyle Chyzowski before the game as well as handed out the 2024-2025 team awards. Ryan Miller and Diego Buttazzoni scored 51 seconds apart in the third period. Ondřej Štěbeták’s made 21 saves between the pipes for Portland.
Game #67: Tri-City (4) vs. Portland (2)
SOG: POR (45) – TC (25)
PP: POR (0/2) – TC (1/3)
Saves: Štěbeták (21) – Grout (43)
SCORING:
TC – Jackson Smith (8) from Brandon Whynott and Max Curran
TC – Carter MacAdams (18)
TC – Savin Virk (21) from Jackson Smith and Max Curran (power play)
POR – Diego Buttazzoni (37) from Tyson Jugnauth and Kyle Chyzowski
POR – Ryan Miller (15) from Josh Zakreski and Kayd Ruedig
TC – Max Curran (22) from Carter MacAdams and Savin Virk (empty net)
GAME SUMMARY:
Portland and Tri-City met for the final time in the 2024-2025 regular season at the VMC on Friday night. The Winterhawks registered 17 first-period shots on Americans’ netminder Ryan Grout, but were unable to get any by the 17-year-old rookie. The lone goal of the frame came three seconds after a Portland penalty expired when Jackson Smith’s wrist shot found the back of the net. The secondary assist went to Max Curran, the first of the Colorado Avalanche draft selection’s three-point evening.
In the second period, Tri-City scored an unconventional goal when Carter MacAdams’ shot went off the end-wall and a Winterhawks skater could not get out of the way of the carom. The play went to video review as it appeared Curran may have deflected the puck with a high stick, but the officials determined it was a good goal. Štěbeták and Grout were solid as they each made double-digit saves in the middle frame.
Diego Buttazzoni’s 37th goal of his 18-year-old season gave the hosts plenty of life with 10:41 to play. On a delayed penalty, Tyson Jugnauth spotted the Langley, British Columbia, native all alone in front. The 5-foot-9, 183-pound centerman beat Grout five-hole to extend his points streak to ten-straight games.
Seventeen-year-old alternate captain Ryan Miller went backhand-forehand after a deft feed from Josh Zakreski just 51 seconds later to bring the 6,533 Portland fans in attendance to a raucous roar.
Head coach Kyle Gustafson called Štěbeták to the bench for the extra attacker with 2:47 left on the clock and his team down by a goal. Relentless pressure by Portland’s six skaters nearly tied the game; however, Curran’s 22nd of the season, into the empty net, put the game out of reach.
POST-GAME VIDEO:
Hear from head coach Kyle Gustafson following the game on Friday evening.
UP NEXT:
The Portland Winterhawks close out the regular season on Saturday in Kent as the I-5 Rivalry Series presented by ZoomCare goes one more time in 2024-2025. Puck drop is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. and broadcasted locally on Portland’s CW. Fans can also catch the game live at the Winterhawks official watch party location – Cartisde.
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