PORTLAND, Ore. — Hayley Wickenheiser’s third-period goal broke a tie and lifted the Portland Brewers to a 2-1 win over the Chicago Style on Friday night at the Rose Garden.
Wickenheiser scored at 6:41 of the third period, finishing a point-blank chance from the high slot after Portland worked the puck through a cycle. Mac Miller and Jim Morrison assisted on the winner, which came after Chicago had pushed back from a one-goal deficit in the second period.
The Brewers outshot Chicago 30-29 in a tight game that featured little separation and no major momentum swing. Portland goalie Ken Kesey made 28 saves and was named the game’s first star. Chicago’s Hunter S. Thompson stopped 28 shots in the loss.
The game opened with an early flashpoint when Chicago’s Angela Ruggiero and Wickenheiser fought at 2:05 of the first period. Both received five-minute majors, setting a physical tone in the Brew City Throwdown rivalry matchup. Neither team scored in the opening period.
Portland broke through at 4:53 of the second. Roberta Flack put the Brewers ahead with a backhand from the right circle after a blocked-shot rebound. Jack Ma and James Dyson assisted.
Chicago answered at 11:17 when Tupac Shakur redirected a Bobby Hull feed from the low slot for the equalizer. Hull, who led Chicago with six shots, also had two blocks and five interceptions.
The Style had a chance to take control later in the period when Portland’s Gordie Howe was called for cross-checking at 14:05, but Chicago came up empty on the power play. Both teams finished 0 for 1 with the man advantage.
Portland leaned on balance and defensive support to close the game. Deon Sanders had five shots, two blocks and two interceptions. Bill Gates added three interceptions, while Wickenheiser had three of her own.
Chicago had several late signs of fatigue, including Jeff Bezos at 19:17 of the third, but could not solve Kesey a second time. Bezos finished with six shots and two blocks.
The Brewers improved behind a composed finish after Wickenheiser’s decisive goal. Chicago, despite a strong defensive night with 18 interceptions and six blocks, was held to one goal for the game.
Attendance was 18,763.