The Clackamas print., November 25, 2015, Page 6, Image 6

Let’s play ‘hawkey’
Winterhawks beat the Americans
BY KATIE ARCHER
The scent of adrenaline, followed by the sound
of skates cutting through the ice, leading to the
anticipated slam of guys crashing into the wall;
the Portland W interhawks are w arm ing up for
their game.
It was game tim e w hen th e announcer said,
“Let’s play Hawkey?'
Friday, Nov. 20, th e W interhaw ks faced off
against the Tri-City Americans in the Veterans
Memorial Coliseum.
Early attacks by the Winterhawks set the tone of
the first period. After three minutes, TNT by AC/DC
sounded through the Coliseum as the Winterhawks
struck first with a goal by Jack Dougherty.
After about five m inutes, fans were rising to
their feet again to TNT with a goal by Colton Veloso.
The Americans tried to get their offence going
and took some shots at Winterhawks goalie Adin
Hill. Hill made some solid saves but the Americans
were able to sneak the puck by him 10 m inutes
into the first period with a goal by Brian Williams.
“I came to the game just wanting to get a lot of
shots on net and lots of hits, I think I did that,” said
Alex Overhardt. “I came out and got three shots in
the first. I think it definitely benefited m e.”
On his third shot, Overhardt got the Winterhawks
their third goal around the 12-minute mark.
The Winterhawks finished the first period 3-1.
6 Clackamas Print NOVEMBER 2 5.2015 theclackamasprint.com
Starting off the second half, the Americans
tried getting th eir m om entum going but the
Winterhawks captain, Dominic Turgeon, scored
at three and a half m inutes into the third.
The A m ericans quickly responded to th e
W interhawks goal. Only about 30 seconds after
Turgeon’s goal, Beau McCue got the Americans
their second goal.
Paul B ittn e r got th e final goal for th e
Winterhawks with less than four m inutes to play
in the second period.
The final score was 5-2.
“I thought we played an overall really good game,”
said Turgeon. “We came ready to play and I think
th at was a big thing. We finished harder so that
was huge.”
N either team scored in the third period but
Winterhawks kept the pressure on the Americans
and denied them a consistent offensive attack.
Both Dougherty and Turgeon said their coach,
Jamie Kompon, said the Winterhawks only allowed
four shots on goal. Dougherty added that it showed
how the team was able to control the situation.
The W interhaw ks w ere quick to stop th e
Americans’ m om entum breaks throughout the
game.
O verhardt said, “I th in k we shut down their
offence and played a really good transition game.
Just played our game. Kept playing our game and
got shots on net. And killed their push.”
The game also showed the amount of depth the
W interhaw ks have. Dougherty, Overhardt and
Veloso are not among the team s leading scores
like Turgeon and Bittner.
“I think th at’s a big thing for us, you know, down
the stretch too,” said Turgeon. “It shows that we
have a lot of depth and I think th a t’s key for our
team and th a t’s key for a long season. It’s good
to see th a t.”
Even with a lot of season left to play, Dougherty
said the team wants to give themselves the best
chance to make playoffs and it starts with beating
their US Division opponents.
“We came in w ith the m indset, do w hat ever
it takes to win and we did th a t to n ig h t,” said
Dougherty.
It may have taken a while but Overhardt strongly
thinks the team has found their game and how to
contribute.
“I think th at’s what were going to keep doing the
rest of the season,” said Overhardt. “Just really
positive and our team ’s going up from here.”
On Saturday, Nov. 21, the Winterhawks lost on
the road to Seattle 5-2.
Their next game is tonight at 7 p.m. vs. Moose
Jaw in the Veterans Memorial Coliseum.