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Ratzlaff Subdues Americans to Earn First Career Win

May 8, 2021 - Western Hockey League (WHL) - Seattle Thunderbirds News Release


KENNEWICK, WA - Scott Ratzlaff made his first career start Friday night at the Toyota Center in Kennewick and earned his first career win by making 18 saves to lead the Seattle Thunderbirds to a 5-2 victory over the Tri-City Americans.

Ratzlaff was selected in the second round, 43rd overall, in the 2020 WHL Draft. He signed a Standard WHL Player Agreement with the team on May 1, 2020. He had six saves in the first period, three saves in the second period and nine saves in the third period.

The T-Birds have two games remaining in the 2020-21 season. The next game is Saturday at accesso ShoWare Center against the Everett Silvertips on Saturday at 6:05pm. They host the Spokane Chiefs on Sunday at 5:05pm at accesso ShoWare Center. The game against the Chiefs will be broadcast on JOEtv Cable 22/Channel 110.

Tri-City took a 1-0 lead on a goal by Nick Bowman at 4:16 of the first period.

The Americans went in front 2-0 on a goal by Connor Bouchard at 4:01 of the second period.

Seattle scored three goals in 3:52 of the second to take a 3-2 lead.

Jared Davidson started the comeback at 5:53 of the second. Lucas Ciona passed the puck out of the right corner to Davidson in the right circle. Davidson beat Tri-City goalie Mason Dunford over the glove for his eighth goal of the season. Luke Bateman had the second assist.

Henrik Rybinski tied the game 2-2 1:15 after Davidson's goal. Rybinski won a faceoff in the right circle to Keltie Jeri-Leon who got off a shot. The puck rebounded off Dunsford and went behind the net. Rybinski got the loose puck and attempted at wraparound at the left post that Dunsford stopped. Rybinski banged the rebound past the goalie for his sixth goal of the season.

Rybinski got the T-Birds a 3-2 lead at 9:45 of the second with a shorthanded goal. Ryan Gottfried broke up a cross ice pass and the puck came to Rybinski inside the Seattle blue line. Rybinski broke up ice and made a move around a Americans defenseman in the neutral zone to create a breakaway. Rybinski came in on Dunsford and beat the goalie with a quick snapshot over the glove.

Nico Myatovic added an insurance goal at 17:46 of the third period. Davidson won a faceoff back to Luke Bateman who got a shot off. The puck rebounded to the right of Dunsford where Myatovic got to it. Myatovic lifted the puck over Dunsford as the goalie scrambled to get over.

The Americans pulled Dunsford for an extra attacker late in the third period. Davidson scored an unassisted empty-net goal with 44 seconds left to seal the win.

SCORING SUMMARY

First period - 1, Seattle, Bowman 4 (Daniel), 4:16. Penalties - Roberts, Tri (interference), 7:01.

Second period - 2, Tri-City, Bouchard 5 (Huo), 4:01. 3, Seattle, Davidson 8 (Ciona, Bateman), 5:53. 4, Seattle, Rybinski 6 (Jeri-Leon), 7:08. 5, Seattle, Rybinski 7 (Gottfried), 9:45 (sh). Penalties - Schaefer, Sea (cross checking), 9:19. Andregg, Tri (cross checking, major-fighting), 16:55. Popowich, Sea (major-fighting), 16:55. Schaefer, Sea (high-sticking), 18:46.

Third period - 6, Seattle, Myatovic 3 (Bateman, Davidson), 17:46. 7, Seattle, Davidson 9, 19:16. Penalties - Sloan, Tri (tripping), 1:32. Rybinski, Sea (misconduct-mouthguard), 13:50. Mutala, Tri (cross checking), 14:41.

Shots on goal - Seattle 15-13-17 45, Tri-City 7-4-9 20. Goalies - Seattle, Ratzlaff 20 shots-18 saves (1-0-0-0); Tri-City, Dunsford 44-40 (0-3-0-0). Power plays - Seattle 0-4; Tri-City 0-2. Referees - Ian Jendro, Erik Freeman. Linesmen - Steve Fleming, Joe Mahon.

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