Associated Press
PORTLAND, Ore. – Jake Riddle scored the only goal of the game as the Seattle Thunderbirds beat the Portland Winter Hawks 1-0 Friday in Game 5 of their Western Hockey League playoff series.
The T-birds lead the best-of-seven series 3-2 with Game 6 at 7 tonight in Seattle’s KeyArena.
Playing without team captain Dustin Johner and top defenseman Matthew Spiller, both sidelined with injuries, Seattle has managed to push the U.S. Division champion Winter Hawks to the brink of elimination.
Portland was without Paul Gaustad, who was suspended indefinitely by the league for his slash on Johner toward the end of Game 4.
The WHL is expected to finalize the suspension today. The Hawks just got defenseman Joey Hope back from his suspension for checking Spiller from behind in Game 1. That hit ended Spiller’s season.
It was the first 1-0 game of the season for Seattle.
Copyright ©2002 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
