Portland Scores Four in First, Routs Tri-City 6-0

Portland, OR- Tri-City looked to earn the first win on the newly refurbished Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

But Portland wouldn’t let that happen as they scored four goals in the first period en route to the Portland Winterhawks (9-3-1-0, 19 pts) destroying the Tri-City Americans (9-6-1-1, 20 pts) 6-0 in Portland.

The Winterhawks dominated the first period. Portland scored early when Taylor Leier took the puck from behind the net and wrapped around and fired a wrist shot over Eric Comrie’s shoulder for a 1-0 lead. It wasn’t long until they increased the lead to two. Justin Feser took a penalty for slashing, and Portland capitalized on the power play when Chase De Leo one timed a shot past Comrie to make it 2-0 6:35 into the game. The onslaught continued less than three minutes later as Brendan Leipsic deflected a Seth Jones slap shot into the goal, making it 3-0 midway through the first.

That was enough for Jim Hiller to pull Comrie and let Brenden Fiebelkorn see his first action of the season. It didn’t take long for him to give up his first goal, as Seth Jones hit a slap shot from the point past Comrie to make it 4-0 towards the end of the first period.  

Tri-City had five shots in the second period with their best chance coming on a Feser late in the period but was denied by Mac Carruth. Portland scored in the final minute of the period as Leipsic scored his second of the game to make it 5-0 after two periods.

The third period did not get any better for the Americans, as Portland scored again early when Nicolas Petan added a goal to his team leading point total. Tri-City had chances in the period, including a 5-on-3 power play midway through the period, but couldn’t capitalize on the chance as the Americans only managed two shots in the period en route to the 6-0 loss.      

The six goals is a season high in goals allowed, and the six goal win was the largest margin of victory an opponent has had over the Americans this season. This is the first time during 2012-13 the Americans have been shutout.

Comrie and Fiebelkorn combined for 37 saves in the loss, while Mac Carruth made 15 saves in the shutout victory.

Tri-City will begin an eight game home stand starting on Friday, Nov. 2 when they welcome back the Everett Silvertips (6-8-0-1, 13 pts) to the Toyota Center. The game will be the start of a three game weekend at the Toyota Center. Tri-City has defeated Everett in all three games they have played this season, including a 2-0 shutout on Oct. 3. The puck drops at 7:05 p.m. NewsTalk 870 will broadcast the game starting at 6:45 p.m. with the pregame show. WHL Live will stream the game online. Tickets are available at the Toyota Center box office, any Fred Meyer outlet, at any Ticketmaster location, or online at Ticketmaster.com.

Jack in the Box Three Stars:
1. Ty Rattie, Portland
2. Brendan Leipsic, Portland
3. Mac Carruth, Portland