Burke makes 43 saves as the Winterhawks down the Americans

KENNEWICK, Wash. - In a matchup between two of the top 17-year-old goaltenders in the Western Hockey League, Portland’s Brendan Burke got the firepower he needed up front to outduel Tri-City’s Eric Comrie on Friday night.

Taylor Peters and Oliver Bjorkstrand each had a goal and an assist and Burke stopped 43-of-46 shots as the Winterhawks held on for a 4-3 victory over the Americans.

The win improves Burke's record to 11-3-1 while his goals-against average has dropped to 2.79 and his save percentage is at .898.

“Our team, I thought, played a good team game,” said Portland coach Travis Green, who is missing three players to the World Junior Championship and two to the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. “A gutty performance by a lot of guys, and both goalies played great.”

Kirill Vorobev and Taylor Leier also scored for the Winterhawks (30-5-1), who extended their winning streak to seven games.

Justin Feser had a pair of goals for the Americans (20-13-3) and Connor Rankin scored the other.

Comrie turned aside 34 shots in a losing cause for Tri-City, which have dropped four of five meetings this season to Portland.

Portland went 2 for 3 on the power play while Tri-City scored twice on five chances with the man advantage.