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Winterhawks pull out No. 18 in a row, 4-2
PORTLAND WINTERHAWKS 4, Kamloops Blazers 2
Friday night, Memorial Coliseum, 7,619 announced attendance
HIGHLIGHTS
Portland pulled out its 18th consecutive victory with two unanswered third-period goals against the Blazers, who are last in the Western Hockey League Western Conference.
WHAT IT MEANS
The Winterhawks extended their franchise record for wins in a row.
Since their last loss (3-2 at Victoria on Jan. 10), the Hawks have outscored 18 opponents 105-38. They have won 13 times by three goals or more, four times by two goals and once by one goal.
TOP PERFORMERS
Keegan Iverson's goal on a shot from the blue line at 5:27 of the third period gave Portland a 3-2 lead its first of the game.
Brendan Leipsic scored a power-play goal from the right faceoff circle at 9:05 to give the Hawks their two-goal advantage.
Chase De Leo tied the game at 7:09 on a power play at 7:09 of the first period.
Taylor Leier evened the count at 2-2 with his goal 42 seconds into the second period.
Corbin Boes picked up the win, making 14 saves.
KEY STATS
Portland outshot Kamloops 46-16 14-6 in the first period, 13-7 in the second frame and 19-3 in the final period.
NOTES
Portland has 11 games remaining in the regular season, six at home and five away.
Nic Petan extended his scoring streak to 14 games, Oliver Bjorkstrand's streak reached 12 games and Leier's streak hit eight games.
Petan, who had an assist on Leipsic's goal, leads the WHL in scoring with 103 points (32 goals, a league-high 71 assists) in 52 games. Spokane's Mitch Holmberg is second with 100 points (51 goals, 49 assists) in 61 games. Bjorkstrand is third with 92 points (41-51) in 58 games. Kootenay's Sam Reinhart is fourth with 89 (32-57) in 49 games. Leipsic is No. 10 with 77 points (34-43) in 49 games.
The Hawks still trail Kelowna, the West leader, by seven points. The Rockets reached the 100-point mark Friday with their 4-2 victory at Prince George.
WHL WESTERN CONFERENCE
STANDINGS
Kelowna 48-8-0-4 (100) (B.C. Division leader)
Portland 44-12-2-3 (93) (U.S. Division leader)
Victoria 42-17-1-3 (88)
Seattle 37-19-2-3 (79)
Spokane 34-21-3-3 (74)
Vancouver 29-24-7-3 (68)
Everett 29-23-7-1 (68)
Tri-City 27-28-3-3 (60)
Prince George 25-31-3-5 (58)
Kamloops 12-44-2-3 (29)
NEXT
The Winterhawks are back on home ice Saturday, facing Prince Albert at 7 p.m. at Memorial Coliseum (KPAM 860 AM).