WHL Seattle Thunderbirds

Injury Ravaged T-Birds Lose to Portland

Published on March 20, 2022 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Seattle Thunderbirds News Release


KENT, Wash. - The injury depleted Seattle Thunderbirds fell, 4-1, to the Portland Winterhawks Saturday at the accesso ShoWare Center. Seattle had seven regulars out of the lineup and dressed just 16 skaters, then lost one more player to injury during the game. The Thunderbirds and Winterhawks will complete the weekend with a rematch Sunday in Portland.

"I thought we played pretty well," said T-birds head coach Matt O'Dette, of his injury plagued team's performance. Especially since his team played the night before in Kennewick while Portland had been off since last Saturday. "The game plan was to be really efficient, obviously with being short bodies. Can't fault the work ethic or the heart shown out there."

Seattle (35-16-4-2) played a strong opening period but did take a penalty just sixteen seconds in, leading to a Portland power play goal from Jaydon Dureau 22-seconds into the game. The T-birds held firm the rest of the period, outshooting the Winterhawks 11-5.

It was a scoreless second period but as both teams were slow getting off the ice at the end of period two, and both teams jawed back and forth and pushed and shoved, the only penalty assessed was on Seattle. The Winterhawks opened the third once again on the man advantage and once again Dureau scored at the 59 second mark to give Portland a two-goal cushion.

Seattle answered when Jordan Gustafson was slashed on a breakaway and was awarded a penalty shot at 2:19. He converted, scoring his 22nd goal of the season, to pull the T-birds back within a goal at 2-1. As Seattle looked for the equalizer on the next shift, another scrum developed in front of the Winterhawks net with players from both teams grabbing each other. But when the altercation was broken up only the T-birds ended up with a player in the penalty box. Once again Dureau scored on the power play, knocking home a rebound and restoring Portland's two-goal lead.

Portland them put the game away with a goal from Marcus Nguyen midway through the final frame.

"I thought we worked extremely hard and deserved a better fate," said O'Dette. While Portland finished 3-for-5 on the power play, Seattle was 0-for-4 with their makeshift power play units. "We're doing the best we can with what we've got. They were gifted a couple, so to speak. What else can I say. I thought we had good looks. Would have liked more but missing five top scorers and I still think we generated quite a bit, all things considered."

After Sunday's game in Portland, the T-birds next hit the ice next weekend for three-games-in-three nights. First up is a trip to Langley, B.C. Friday to play the Vancouver Giants. The T-birds and Giants then face each other Saturday in Kent. Game time Saturday at the accesso ShoWare Center is 6:05 p.m. Seattle will end the weekend in Kennewick next Sunday against Tri-City.

T-BIRDS EXTRAS

Matt Rempe did not play as he served the third and final game of a league-imposed suspension. He is expected back in the lineup Sunday in Portland.

Leading scorer Jared Davidson was out of the lineup for a third game after suffering an upper body injury a week ago against Everett.

Henrik Rybinski missed a ninth straight game with an upper body injury as well. Meanwhile Lucas Ciona, injured in last Friday's shootout loss to Portland, was out of the lineup for a fourth consecutive game while Tyrel Bauer, out since suffering a lower body injury December 10th, missed his 33rd consecutive game.

Added to the injury list were Gabe Ludwig, hurt Friday in Kennewick, and Ryan Gottfried, who hasn't recovered from a shot he blocked with his foot two weeks ago.

Mekai Sanders then joined the list of wounded players when he left the game and did not return with what appeared to be a lower body injury.

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Western Hockey League Stories from March 20, 2022


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