Winterhawks Snag a Point in the Standings but Lose 3-2


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The Portland Winterhawks fell 3-2 in a shootout at home to the Seattle Thunderbirds Saturday at the Moda Center in front of 7,568 fans. The Hawks picked up a point in the standings.

Portland scored the lone goal of the first period when Oliver Bjorkstrand raced down the right wing and went top shelf past Seattle netminder Taran Kozun for a 1-0 lead they took into the second.

Seattle’s Ryan Gropp and Mathew Barzal each scored early in the second as the visitors took a 2-1 through two periods.

It remained 2-1 until late in the third, when Miles Koules fired a bouncing puck at the blue line past Kozun at the 17:31 mark to even the game at 2-2 and set up overtime.

Neither team was able to break through in the extra frame, setting up the shootout. Barzal’s goal in the first round of the shootout was the only one between the two teams, giving the Thunderbirds the win.

Both goalies, Brendan Burke for Portland and Kozun for Seattle, finished with 32 saves on 34 shots.

The Hawks depart Tuesday for their longest road trip of the season, a six-game trek through the WHL’s East Division. They’ll play Friday in Moose Jaw, and then go on to Brandon, Regina, Swift Current, Prince Albert and Saskatoon.

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