PORTLAND 6 VICTORIA 3
The TV series Portlandia gently parodies, while simultaneously admiring, the sometimes-quirky nature of life in Portland.
But there’s nothing off-beat about its hockey team. The Portland Winterhawks are serious. Seriously good.
The Winterhawks took a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven WHL Western Conference semifinal with an 6-3 victory Saturday night over the Victoria Royals before 10,947 fans at the Moda Center. Defending-league champion Portland won for the 13th consecutive game and 34th time in its last 35 games.
Saturday’s contest turned on two quick power-play goals in the second period that gave Portland a 4-3 lead. They were scored by first-round Penguins draft-pick blueliner Derrick Pouliot and Oliver Bjorkstrand, a dangerously lurking Dane under NHL contract to the Blue Jackets. Goals again in the third period by Bjorkstrand and Pouliot put it away.
“A couple of penalties cost us again [like they did in Friday’s 8-2 win in Game 1 by Portland],” said Royals head coach Dave Lowry.
“The Winterhawks have lots of speed, and that kind of pressure forces you into mistakes.” Victoria forward Steven Hodges had a three-point night with two goals, one on the power play, and Austin Carroll also scored on the odd-man. Both Royals power-play goals came off tip-ins from point shots by defenceman Travis Brown. Portland got goals within 17 seconds in the opening period from second-round Winnipeg Jets draft pick Nic Petan and Canucks blueline-prospect Anton Cederholm.
The series swings into Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre for Games 3-4 Monday and Tuesday (7 p.m).
“We have to find a way to win a hockey game,” said Lowry.
