Americans knock down T-Birds
December 2, 2007 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Seattle Thunderbirds News Release
Kennewick, WA, December 1, 2007 - The Tri-City Americans defeated the Seattle Thunderbirds 5-2 Saturday night at the Toyota Center in Kennewick, Washington.
This was the first game of a home-and-home series between the two teams. They meet again on Tuesday, December 4, at KeyArena at 7:05 p.m.
Seattle (11-10-4- 1) took a 1-0 lead at 11:31 of the first period on a power-play goal by Bud Holloway. Prab Rai and Thomas Hickey fought for control of the puck on the left boards. Hickey gained possession at the top of circle and skated across the slot. At the inside hash marks of the right circle Hickey put a backhand shot on goal that Bud Holloway tipped past Tri-City goalie Chet Pickard. It was Holloway's team leading 11th goal of the year. Shaun Vey scored a power-play goal at 13:10 of the first to tie the game 1-1. TJ Fast and Kruise Reddick had the assists on the goal.
Colton Yellow Horn put the Americans in front 2-1 at 19:02 of the first. Adam Hughesman and Reddick had the assists.
Seattle outshot Tri-City (20-6-0-0) 17-10 in the first period.
The Americans took a 3-1 lead at 1:45 of the second period on the second goal of the night from Yellow Horn. Hughesman and Reddick had the assists.
Sena Acolatse got the T-Birds within one goal at 14:47 of the second. Josh Schappert brought the puck out of the left corner up the boards. He curled to center ice at the top of the circle but lost control with an Americans defender on his back. The puck trickled to the blue line where Acolatse was able to keep it in the Tri-City zone. Acolatse made a move around an Americans defender, came in alone on Pickard and beat the goalie with a high wrist shot. It was Acolatse's second goal of the year.
The Americans outshot the T-Birds 14-10 in the second period but the T-Birds led in total shots, 27-24, going into the second intermission.
Yellow Horn scored a shorthanded goal at 6:36 of the third period to put the Americans in front 4-2. Reddick had the only assist on the goal.
Hughesman added an empty-net goal at 18:11 of the third to make it a 5-2 game. Reddick had the assist on the goal.
The Americans outshot the T-Birds 7-6 in the third period. Seattle finished with a 33-31 advantage in shots on goal.
Seattle goalie Jacob DeSerres stopped 26 of 30 shots and his record is now 5-3-0-1.
Pickard made 31 saves on 33 shots and his record is now 16-4-0-0.
Season tickets are currently on sale for 2007-08 at KeyArena. Fans purchasing 2007-08 season tickets will have the highest seating priority for the 2008-09 season as the Thunderbirds open the new Kent Events Center. Priority can be established right now by calling 206-448-PUCK (7825) or for more information go to www.seattlethunderbirds.com.
Western Hockey League Stories from December 2, 2007
- Santorelli Rockets the Bruins to Victory - Chilliwack Bruins
- Calgary Hitmen set new world record in Petro-Canada teddy bear toss - Calgary Hitmen
- Wheaties Open Trip With Win - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Blazers Go 0-for-2 On Weekend - Kamloops Blazers
- Americans knock down T-Birds - Seattle Thunderbirds
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