Giants Topple T-Birds
January 4, 2008 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Seattle Thunderbirds News Release
Vancouver, January 4, 2007 - The Vancouver Giants defeated the Seattle Thunderbirds 6-1 Friday night in front of 9,454 at Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver, British Columbia.
The game was the first game of a home-and-home series between the two teams. They meet again Saturday night at KeyArena at 7:05 p.m. in the second game of the series.
The T-Bird are now 17-13-5-1 in the US Division. Vancouver (27-8-1-4) outshot Seattle 10-8 in the first period.
James Wright put the Giants up 1-0 at 5:18 of the second period. Mitch Czibere and Stefan Schneider had the assists.
Greg Scott tied the game 1-1 at 11:05 of the second. Isak Quakenbush pushed a loose puck in the high slot in Seattle's zone to Scott who broke up the right wing. Scott gained the corner on a Giants defenseman and came in on Vancouver goalie Tyson Sexsmith. Scott beat Sexsmith five-hole for his 15th goal of the year.
The Giants outshot the T-Birds 17-9 in the second period and led 27-17 in total shots after two periods.
Casey Pierro-Zabotel scored 33 seconds into the third period to put the Giants in front 2-1. Garry Nunn had the only assist on the goal.
Vancouver took a 3-1 lead with a power-play goal by Brent Regner at 2:46 of the third. Pierro-Zabotel and Craig Schira had the assists.
Mitch Czibere put back a rebound at 6:37 of the third to give the Giants a 4-1 lead. Pierro-Zabotel and Phil Gervais had the assists.
Seattle replaced goalie Jacob DeSerres with Harrison May with 6:06 left in the third period. DeSerres was credited with the loss after facing 38 shots and making 34 saves. DeSerres record is now 9-6-0-1.
Nunn scored at 14:29 of the third to put the Giants in front 5-1. Linden Saip had an assist on the goal.
Spencer Machacek scored a power-play goal at 19:08 of the third. Bouma and Wright had the assists.
The Giants outshot the T-Birds 18-6 in the third period and 45-23 in the game.
Sexsmith stopped 22 of 23 shots and his record improves to 26-6-1-4.
May made five saves on seven shots in his second game of the season.
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 January 4, 2008
- Giants Topple T-Birds - Seattle Thunderbirds
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- Gillies Scores, Canada Going for Gold - Saskatoon Blades
- Moller and Sweden off to WJC Finals - Chilliwack Bruins
- Betts Reassigned, Spurgeon Suspended - Spokane Chiefs
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