Hawks Force Game 7 with 3-2 Game 6 Win

May 7, 2012, 12:31 am

The WHL Final will come down to a Game 7. The Portland Winterhawks got two goals from Oliver Gabriel as they defeated the Edmonton Oil Kings 3-2 Saturday in Game 6 of the WHL Final at the Rose Garden in front of a sold out crowd of 10,947, the fourth straight sellout. The series is now tied 3-3.

Edmonton got on the board first when Michael St. Croix scored 7:53 into the game to make it 1-0. The Hawks got that one back at the 11:07 mark when Cam Reid sidestepped an Edmonton defenseman and fed Gabriel on the doorstep, who buried the shot to even the game at 1-1, a score that would last through the period.

The score remained 1-1 through the second, despite Portland carrying the play for much of the frame and outshooting Edmonton 18-10.

It set up a tremendous third period that began with a goal by Joe Morrow at the 8:44 mark as Portland took a 2-1 lead. Edmonton responded with a goal by Stephane Legault at the 11:05 mark to even it at 2-2.

The score remained tied until late in the third, when Gabriel sealed the win with his second of the game at the 17:21 mark to give Portland the 3-2 win.

Mac Carruth made 30 saves on 32 shots to earn the win in net for Portland. His counterpart, Laurent Brossoit, stopped 42 of 45 shots for Edmonton.

The Hawks finally broke the tie at the 8:44 mark of the third when Joe Morrow tipped in a shot past Edmonton netminder Lauren Brossoit to make it 2-1.

Kerry Eggers of the Portland Tribune

The Portland Winterhawks' offense has recently been a one-line show. And, without a supporting cast showing up on the scoresheet, the Hawks lost two consecutive games in the Western Hockey League finals and were faced with a must-win game six on Saturday.

But in the midst of dire straights, a fresh face emerged as the hero. (MORE)

Jim Beseda of the Oregonian

Winterhawks left wing Oliver Gabriel knows that one of the best strategies against a hot goaltender is to just keep throwing pucks at the net.

Eventually, one just might go in.

Gabriel's wrist shot from the right circle slipped past Edmonton goalie Laurent Brossoit with 2:32 to play Saturday as the Winterhawks staved off elimination from the Western Hockey League championship series with a 3-2 victory at the Rose Garden that evened the series at three wins apiece.

Portland's victory before a sellout crowd of 10,947 forces the series back to Edmonton for Game 7 tonight at Rexall Place with not only a WHL championship on the line, but also a berth in the Memorial Cup. (MORE)