Winterhawks hold off Victoria in shootout, 4-3

PORTLAND — Josh Davies’ second straight two-goal game and some shootout heroics from Gabe Klassen, James Stefan and Luke Brunen helped the Portland Winterhawks take a 4-3 shootout win over the Victoria Royals on Wednesday in Western Hockey League action.

Brunen stopped three of Victoria’s four shooters in the breakaway contest, while Stefan and Klassen outmatched Robin Sapousek’s lone tally for the Royals to give Portland the win.

Fresh off his 100th WHL point on Sunday, Davies wasted little time opening the scoring as he chipped home a loose puck in the crease just under two minutes into the contest.

Victoria’s power play got the Royals back into the game at 9:32 on rookie Cole Reschny’s sixth of the year, but the Winterhawks reclaimed the lead before the end of the frame.

Kyle Chyzowski found Josh Zakreski at the offensive blue line, who then fed over to Diego Buttazzoni, who put in his 11th goal of the season.

Portland kept control in the middle frame, making it 3-1 on Davies’ second of the night as he hammered home a one-timer from Klassen at the side of the net.

Victoria mounted an efficient comeback in the final frame to tie things up at three.

Both teams had their chances over the final minutes, but neither found a winner in regulation or overtime, forcing the shootout.

Brunen, making his first start on home ice, stopped 24 of 27 shots through 65 minutes for the Hawks, while Braden Holt put away 30 of 33 for Victoria.

Portland’s back in action on Friday at Everett, then on home ice Saturday and Sunday to take on Saskatoon and Spokane.