Eight Is Enough in Prince George
April 20, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Seattle Thunderbirds News Release
Prince George, B.C. - Eight different players scored, and the Seattle Thunderbirds blasted past the Prince George Cougars, 8-2, Wednesday in Game Four of their second-round playoff series at the CN Centre. With the win Seattle sweeps the series and advances to the Western Conference Championship for the second straight year.
Seattle will face the winner of the Portland-Kamloops series. Whoever they face, the Thunderbirds will have home ice advantage and start the series at the accesso ShoWare Center April 29th.
Seattle scored twice in the first period and never looked back. "It was important to get the lead again tonight," said Thunderbirds head coach Matt O'Dette. "The fourth game is always the hardest to win. It took everybody chipping in, everyone contributing."
Bryce Pickford assisted on Sam Popowich's opening goal. He would also score Seattle's fourth goal midway through the second period. It was his first two points of the playoffs. In both instances he was looking to get a shot on net.
"There was a little scrum on the boards. I got the puck when it popped out, I got middle access and shot it. Poppy had a great tip," he explained of his assist on the opening goal. On his second period goal he said he put it through the legs of the defenseman, and it went high blocker on the goalie. "Yeah, it feels good helping my teammates put numbers on the board."
Colton Dach scored for a second straight game and finished the night with three points by adding two assists. Each of his two goals have stood as game winners. He credited his linemates. "The chemistry is coming together. Part of that is having fun and as a line we're having a lot of fun out there and we just want to play the game the right way."
The T-Birds entered the third period with a five-goal lead. Prince George scored an early power play, but Seattle answered with three more of their own. The first of the three came off the stick of Mekai Sanders who, like Dach, scored for a second straight game.
Sanders missed all twenty-five of the Thunderbirds playoff games last spring due to injury. He's glad to get an opportunity to play in the postseason this time around. "I've been looking forward to the playoffs for the past two years actually, even more than that," he remarked. "Being able to get some postseason games and battle with my brothers is awesome."
It was Seattle's second four game sweep in the 2023 playoffs, after knocking out Kelowna in Round One. "Being efficient is important," said O'Dette. "The less games, the less wear and tear throughout the process. We've earned some rest and will use the time to get ready for the next round."
T-BIRDS EXTRAS
Seattle outscored Prince George in the four games 25-5, including 16-3 in the two games at the CN Centre.
With a goal and an assist Wednesday Jared Davidson moved into sole possession of fourth place all time on the Thunderbirds playoff scoring list with 42 points, passing Ryan Gropp.
This was the second time Seattle swept the Cougars out of the postseason. The Thunderbirds beat them in four games in the opening round of the 2016 postseason as well.
Sixteen different Seattle players have scored a goal through the first eight games of the 2023 playoffs.
Western Hockey League Stories from April 20, 2023
- Hawks' Season Ends in Game 4 - Portland Winterhawks
- Blades Force Game 5 Friday Night at SaskTel Centre - Saskatoon Blades
- Alumni Report: 2023 Playoff Edition - Everett Silvertips
- Brown's Mentorship and Personality a Key Ingredient to Pats Success in 2022-23 - Regina Pats
- Game Day Hub: Round 2, Game 4 vs. Kamloops - Portland Winterhawks
- Game 5 Tickets vs Red Deer Are Now Available - Saskatoon Blades
- Eight Is Enough in Prince George - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Svozil Invited to Czechia Men's National Team Camp - Regina Pats
- Blades Force Game 5 at Home with Victory Over Rebels - Saskatoon Blades
- ICE Edge Moose Jaw in OT - Winnipeg Ice
- Warriors Fall in Overtime to Winnipeg in Game 4 - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Hawks' Late Push Falls Short in Game 3 - Portland Winterhawks
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