Three Takeaways: September 11 Preseason Game vs. Everett
September 11, 2022 – Western Hockey League (WHL) – Portland Winterhawks News Release
Everett, Wash. – The Portland Winterhawks dressed a young lineup for the second preseason game and scored twice in a 4-2 loss to Everett.
Some veteran players made their preseason debuts and stood out in a key way.
DIALED IN DANTE
One of the game’s top performers – Dante Giannuzzi – was in mid-season form. In 30:36 minutes of work, Giannuzzi made 24 saves on 25 shots, including all 18 shots he faced in the opening period. His effort in net allowed the Winterhawks to eventually take the game’s first lead in the second period and remain competitive all night.
“It was busy (in net), but it was good. It helps to get into the game and get a lot of work early. They were just throwing a lot of pucks on net so that’s good for my confidence and to get a feel for the puck,” Giannuzzi said. “From a personal stand point, I was happy with my game and felt real confident out there. I’d just say a few more practices to work on our systems a little more and we’ll be looking a lot cleaner, cleaner breakouts in the d-zone and get some more shots as well.”
Luke Brunen, 16, took over the reins for the final 30 minutes and stopped 20 of 23. Both Giannuzzi and Brunen are expected to be with the Club for next weekend’s games.
ROOKIES LIGHT THE LAMP
Saskatoon product Josh Zakreski scored the Winterhawks’ opening preseason goal 4:21 into the second period. He cleaned up a power play rebound in front of Silvertips’ goaltender Braden Holt and is ready to embark on his first full season in Portland after appearing in 11 games last year as an affiliate player.
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“A lot of young guys in the lineup today so we’re just trying to help everyone out and get into the rhythm a little bit too. I think as the game went along, that happened,” Giannuzzi said. “There are little victories everywhere so you have to try to look at the positives.”
Another one of those positives was Reid Mackay scoring his first as a Winterhawk. He scored his first goal of the preseason 20 seconds after Everett lit the lamp.
HELLO SECOND-YEAR PLAYERS
Returning forwards Marcus Nguyen and Luke Schelter had some nice moments today.
Nguyen was a wrecking ball in the second period, dishing out three massive hits. It could be a dangerous second full season for Nguyen in the Dub.
Also notable, Schelter dished two primary assists in the game. He and his linemates Jonah Bevington and Reid Mackay looked strong as the game progressed.
WHAT’S NEXT
Now, the focus switches to a three-in-three next week with preseason action continuing Thursday at Eastern Washington University against the Spokane Chiefs.
“It’s been a long summer for me. So I’m really excited to get back out there,” Giannuzzi said. “Today was so much fun being able to get back into a game situation because you can’t really replicate that in the summer. You can do scrimmages, but there is no-one who’s going to be smashing someone into the boards and playing quite as hard (during offseason training), so it’s nice to be back in this realistic, game-like situations. The more the better.”
We agree Dante.
There will be no live broadcasting or video coverage of the next three preseason contests, but fans can follow along at Winterhawks.com.
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