A recap of this week's THN's WHL Game of the Week featuring the Saskatoon Blades and the Portland Winterhawks

Welcome to this week's edition of THN's WHL Game of the Week. In this weekly column, we break down one of the most exciting games from the weekend that was. This week, we examine an overtime victory by the Portland Winterhawks over the Saskatoon Blades. 

This battle between WHL powerhouses did not disappoint, starting off with a goal-filled first period. The scoring started off early as James Stefan beat Austin Elliot from distance for his 13th of the season just 22 seconds into the game. After some back-and-forth play, Saskatoon would find the equalizer a few minutes later, thanks to Brandon Lisowsky's 15th at 7:38 of the period. Portland would regain the lead at the 13:34 mark of the period thanks to Stefan's second of the game, but once again, the Blades would find the equalizer, this time off the stick of Easton Armstrong, who buried his 12th of the year on the power play at the 17:46 mark of the first. The teams would combine for four goals on 22 shots through the first 20 minutes and enter the intermission tied at two.

The second started off the same as the first, as once again, Portland scored less than 30 seconds into the frame. This time, it was Gabe Klassen scoring his 14th of the year 25 seconds in to regain the one-goal advantage. Portland would hold onto their one-goal lead for the majority until newly acquired Fraser Minten scored his first in a Saskatoon Blades jersey at 16:56 of the second. Like the first, both teams would head into the locker room tied, with the score reading 3-3 after 40 minutes of play. 

Unlike the first two periods, it was the Blades scoring the first goal of the third as Armstrong's second of the game gave Saskatoon a 4-3 lead. The Blades would hold the lead until midway through the period when Josh Davies buried his 17th of the season to tie the game at four. Despite pressure from both sides, both Eliott and Justen Maric stood tall in goal, forcing this game to overtime. 

As they had done all game, Portland found a goal early in the extra frame to send the fans home happy. Jack O'Brien played hero with his seventh of the season 44 seconds into the extra frame as the Winterhawks captured their second overtime win of the season. With the victory, Portland improved their record to 15-6-0-1, while Saskatoon dropped to 16-8-1 on the season. 

Make sure to check back next week for another exciting recap of THN's WHL Game Of The Week.