There was no need for splashy third-period theatrics on Saturday night for the Portland Winterhawks. They decided it early in taking a 3-0 first-period lead en route to a 5-1 victory over the Victoria Royals to take a 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven opening-round Western Hockey League playoff series.
The heavily-favoured Western Conference second-seed Winterhawks, ranked No. 5 in the CHL national major-junior top-10 poll, trailed the first game of the series 2-1 after the second period Friday before pulling out a 4-3 comeback win over the seventh-seed Royals. There was little doubt or drama in the second game Saturday.
“We gave up goals in the first three minutes of two of the three periods. When you talk about being ready to play with focus and attention to detail, you don’t give up those kinds of goals,” said Royals head coach James Patrick. “We got down early. Even in the third period, it’s 4-1, and if you get a goal it changes the complexion of the game. But instead we gave one up on the first or second shift and that was the game.”
https://www.timescol...-royals-8532255
Edited by Victoria Watcher, 31 March 2024 - 02:17 AM.