Hawks Open Trip With 4-2 Win in Lethbridge
The Portland Winterhawks (30-25-3-0) opened their six-game road trip through the WHL’s Central Division Friday with a 4-2 win in Lethbridge against the Hurricanes (40-18-1-0).
It was the Hawks’ fourth win in their last five games.
Portland wasted no time igniting their offense, as just 29 seconds into the game Rodrigo Abols banged in a rebound to give Portland an early 1-0 lead they took into the second.
Lethbridge got on the board 1:37 into the second when Cory Millette scored to tie the game at 1-1. The Hawks applied pressure through the period, and finally broke through at 15:59 when Skyler McKenzie slid a backhand pass to Alex Schoenborn, who poked it past netminder Stuart Skinner to give Portland a 2-1 lead they took into the third.
It remained a one-goal lead until 10:21 of the third, when Cody Glass made a great pass through traffic right onto Schoenborn’s stick, with the veteran knocking it in for his second goal of the night and a 3-1 lead. Portland kept coming, and on a power play at 13:51 Abols ripped the puck five-hole past Skinner for his second goal of the night and a 4-1 advantage.
Lethbridge’s Tyler Wong added a late power play goal with 13 seconds to go, but the Hawks closed them down from there to finish with the 4-2 win.
Adin Hill was sensational in net for Portland, making 46 saves on 48 shots. Skinner allowed four goals on 38 Portland shots.
The Hawks continue their trip tomorrow in Medicine Hat against the Tigers. The journey through the Central Division will also take them to Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer and Kootenay.
