Luca Cagnoni had four points, and what proved to be the game-winning goal late in the second period, as the Portland Winterhawks held on to win at Kelowna 5-4 on Wednesday at Prospera Place.
Cagnoni assisted on three goals including Nate Danielson’s first with the Winterhawks, and James Stefan had a goal and two assists.
Portland (27-10-2-1) has recorded points in eight straight games and 13 of their last 14.
Portland opened up a 2-1 lead through 20 minutes on goals by Stefan and Danielson.
Stefan tapped home a rebound from a Gabe Klassen breakaway bid at 5:28 into the opening period.
After Trae Johnson leveled the score with a goal for Kelowna (20-19-2-0), Danielson restored the lead with a slick play in front. Cagnoni wired a pass from the blue line to Danielson streaking through the slot, who caught the puck behind his body and pulled it through his skates before putting it home into a yawning cage for his 13th of the year.
Danielson, a Detroit Red Wings prospect, was playing in his first game with the Winterhawks since being traded to Portland from Brandon on Jan 10.
The lead increased to 5-2 by the end of the second period with goals from Diego Buttazzoni, Kyle Chyzowski and the fifth on a power play by Cagnoni.
Kelowna’s Tij Iginla cut the deficit to two 5:53 into the third and a late penalty shot goal from Andrew Cristall made things interesting, but the Winterhawks held for win in the first of three games this week in British Columbia.
Nick Avakyan stopped 13 of 17 shots in Portland’s win.
UP NEXT
The Winterhawks head north to Prince George for back-to-back battles with the B.C. Division-leading Cougars on Friday and Saturday.
