Giants Climb Past T-Birds in First Preseason Game
August 31, 2018 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Seattle Thunderbirds News Release
EVERETT - The Vancouver Giants defeated the Seattle Thunderbirds 4-2 Friday afternoon at the Delta Hotels Preseason Classic at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett.
Classic play will continue for the T-Birds as they face the Everett Silvertips Saturday at 7pm.
Seattle jumped out to an early 1-0 lead 53 seconds into the first period on a goal by Graeme Bryks. Bryks took a pass from Zack Andrusiak and put a shot on goal. Bryks got his own rebound and snapped it past Vancouver goalie Trent Miner. Andrej Kukuca had the second assist.
The Giants tied the game 1-1 on a power-play goal by Milos Roman at 10:17 of the first. Alex Kannok Leipert had the only assist.
Vancouver went in front 2-1 with 36 seconds left in the first on a power-play goal Cyle McNabb. Matt Barberis had the only assist.
Vancouver outshot Seattle 9-4 in the first period.
McNabb struck a second time just after a power play ended at 9:57 of the second period to put the Giants in front 3-1. Justin Sourdif had the only assist.
The Giants outshot the T-Birds 12-11 in the second period and led 20-16 in shots after two periods.
Seattle cut the Giants lead to one goal at 10:41 of the third period. Andrusiak skated the puck into the offensive zone and stopped in the right circle. Andrusiak found Cade McNelly pinching down from the left point with a pass. McNelly beat Vancouver goalie Drew Sim low on the blocker side with a snap shot.
The T-Birds pulled goalie Cole Schwebius for an extra attacker with just over a minute to go in the game. The T-Birds had good pressure in the Giants zone but Roman was able to find the empty net with four seconds left to get the Giants the win.
Vancouver outshot Seattle 25-24 in the game.
Schwebius played for the whole game for the T-Birds and had 21 saves on 24 shots.
The Giants split goaltending duties. Trent Miner played the first half of the game and had 12 saves on 13 shots. Drew Sim played the second half of the game and had 11 saves on 12 shots.
Classic play will continue the following day as the T-Birds face the Everett Silvertips Saturday, September 1 at 7pm. The Classic ends for the T-Birds on Sunday, September 2, as they play the Spokane Chiefs at 3pm.
Preseason play continues for the T-Birds at the Red Lion Hotels' Preseason Tournament at the Toyota Center in Kennewick. The T-Birds will begin the tournament on Thursday, September 6, against the Spokane Chiefs at 3pm. Tournament play will conclude on Friday, September 7 with a matchup against the Kootenay Ice at 3pm.
The T-Birds wrap up preseason play with back-to-back games against the Everett Silvertips. They will play on Tuesday, September 11, at 7:05pm at the accesso ShoWare Center. The T-Birds will travel to the Angel of the Winds Arena on Saturday, September 15, to play the Silvertips at 7pm in their final preseason game. Tickets for the preseason game on September 11 are now on sale.
The T-Birds start the 2018-19 Western Hockey League regular season against the Portland Winterhawks on Saturday, September 22 at 6:05pm at the ShoWare Center.
T-Birds single game tickets for the 2018-19 regular season are on sale online on the T-Birds website and at the accesso ShoWare Center box office.
Season Tickets for 2018-19 season are currently on sale. Season tickets can be purchased by calling the T-Birds office at 253-239-7825.
SCORING SUMMARY
First period - 1, Seattle, Bryks 1 (Andrusiak, Kukuca), :53. 2, Vancouver, Roman 1 (Kannok Leipert), 10:17 (pp). 3, Vancouver, McNabb 1 (Barberis), 19:24 (pp). Penalties - Tyszka, Sea (cross checking), 6:56. McIsaac, Sea (roughing, cross checking), 9:58. Holt, Van (roughing), 9:58. Williams, Sea (tripping), 13:27. MacLean, Sea (tripping), 13:58. Dhaliwal, Van (roughing), 13:58. Kannok Leipert, Van (interference), 14:37. McNelly, Sea (roughing), 17:44.
Second period - 4, Vancouver, McNabb 2 (Sourdif), 9:57. Penalties - Kannok Leipert, Van (slashing), 3:01. Holt, Van (slashing), 6:37. MacLean, Sea (roughing), 7:56.
Third period - 5, Seattle, McNelly 1 (Andrusiak, Kukuca), 10:41. 6, Vancouver, Roman 2 (Holt), 19:56 (en). Penalties - Torzsok, Van (interference), 4:52. MacLean, Sea (roughing), 9:09. Barberis, Van (roughing), 9:09.
Shots on goal - Seattle 4-11-8 24, Vancouver 9-12-5 26. Goalies - Seattle, Schwebius 24 shots-21 saves (0-1-0-0); Vancouver, Miner 13-12 (1-0-0-0), Sim 12-11. Power plays - Seattle 0-5; Vancouver 2-6. Referees - Stephen Campbell, Troy Paterson. Linesmen - Michael Ellis, Cameron Wetmore.
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