Winterhawks rally late to beat Americans in OT, 6-5

The Portland Winterhawks scored twice in the final 1:03 of regulation and then Marcus Nguyen netted the game-winner 1:22 into overtime to complete the rally for a 6-5 victory over the Tri-City Americans in Western Hockey League action on Wednesday night at Kennewick.

Down 5-3, Diego Buttazzoni scored his second goal of the game to get the Hawks within one with 1:03 to play. Then 49 seconds later, Jack O’Brien tied it up for the Hawks with assists to Kyle Chyzowski and Marcus Nguyen.

O’Brien assisted on Nguyen’s winning goal.

Portland (21-10-1-1) was playing its first game back from the holiday break and quickly found itself in a 2-0 hole just 4:43 into its second meeting of the season against Tri-City (15-14-2-1).

Tyson Jugnauth and Buttazzoni had Portland goals in the second period, but Tri-City held a 4-2 advantage going into the third thanks to a late short-handed goal by Lukas Dragicevic.

Gabe Klassen made it 4-3 early in the third, only to have Tri-City go up two goals again, this time on a power-play goal by Dragicevic.

Justin Maric started in goal for the Hawks but was replaced by Nick Avakyan after after Tri-City went in front 2-0. Avakyan made 23 saves on 26 shots.

Jugnauth and Josh Davies each had two assists for Portland.

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Portland hosts the Seattle Thunderbirds at 7 p.m. Thursday. The Winterhawks are 2-0 against the Thunderbirds so far this season.