PORTLAND, Ore. — Bill Gates scored on a rebound at 5:53 of the third period, and the Portland Brewers edged the New York Times 2-1 Saturday at the Rose Garden.
Gates’ unassisted goal, a point-blank chance lifted into the high corner after a blocked-shot rebound, broke a 1-all tie and stood as the winner for Portland, which outshot New York 32-30 in a tight, low-scoring game.
Ken Kesey made 29 saves for the Brewers and was named the game’s first star. Tom Robbins stopped 30 shots for New York, keeping the Times close despite Portland’s late push.
Neither team scored in the first period, though both clubs generated pressure and traded defensive plays. The Brewers were sharp early in the neutral zone, with Jim Morrison, Meghan Duggan, Jack Kerouac, Deon Sanders and Hayley Wickenheiser all recording first-period interceptions. New York answered with takeaways from Connor McDavid, Ozzie Smith and Mark Messier, while both teams blocked two dangerous one-timer attempts before the game opened up in the second.
New York struck first at 4:29 of the second. Jerry West finished a one-timer from the left circle after Mark Zuckerberg’s shot sequence produced a blocked-shot rebound. The goal, West’s first point of the night, gave the Times a 1-0 lead and briefly tilted the game toward the visitors.
Portland answered three minutes later. Mac Miller converted unassisted at 7:29, jamming home a point-blank attempt out of a crease scramble after entering through the neutral zone. The equalizer gave the Brewers life, and Miller finished with a goal, three shots, a block and two interceptions.
The second period also brought the game’s only penalties. Hilary Knight and Gordie Howe fought at 16:05, with each receiving a five-minute major. The penalties evened out, and neither side scored on special teams.
The Times had chances to regain control. The Notorious B.I.G. led all skaters with eight shots and added two blocks and four interceptions, but Portland’s defensive structure held. The Brewers finished with 14 interceptions, one more than New York, and matched the Times with four blocked shots.
Gates’ winner came after another scramble created by pressure near the net. The Notorious B.I.G. blocked Miller’s point-blank attempt from the high corner seconds into the sequence, but Portland stayed with the rebound. Gates found the loose puck and beat Robbins high to give the Brewers their first lead.
New York pushed late, but Kesey handled the final wave. Mark Messier added another third-period interception, and The Notorious B.I.G. blocked a Roberta Flack backhand from the low slot at 14:41, but the Times could not solve Kesey again.
Portland improved behind a balanced attack and timely goaltending. New York left with a narrow loss despite strong possession stretches, 30 shots and a standout performance from Robbins.
Attendance was 16,514.