Winterhawks dominate Everett 10-2 to take over first place

PORTLAND — Jack O’Brien scored a hat trick and added two assists, Gabe Klassen scored twice and Nate Danielson had a goal and four assists as the Portland Winterhawks dominated the Everett Silvertips 10-2 on Tuesday at Memorial Coliseum.

Portland (36-12-2-1, 75 points) moves ahead of Everett (35-18-1-2, 73 points) into solo possession of first place in the Western Hockey League’s U.S. Division with its fifth win in a row and ninth out of its last 10 games.

O’Brien scored in the first period and had the Winterhawks’ last two goals of the game. He sent hats flying with a short-handed goal at 16:31 in the third.

Portland had three short-handed goals in the game with Klassen and James Stefan each scoring in the first 1:30 of the second period and both on assists from Ryder Thompson.

Danielson had the second goal of the game, 5:27 into the first period.

Also among the seven skaters lighting the lamp for Portland were Marcus Nguyen, Kyle Chyzowski and Luca Cagnoni.

Portland is 6-1-0-0 against Everett with one more regular-season matchup coming at Everett on Sunday.

Next for the Winterhawks is a home-and-home against the Vancouver Giants on Friday at B.C., and Saturday at Portland for Mascot Night.