Richard Scores All Three Goals in 3-2 Overtime Win in Kelowna
Published on March 25, 2008 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Seattle Thunderbirds News Release
Kelowna, BC, March 24, 2008 - Seattle Thunderbirds right wing David Richard scored his third goal of the game Monday at Prospera Place against the Kelowna Rockets right when the T-Birds needed it most.
Down 2-0 to the Rockets in the best-of-seven first round playoff series and tied 2-2 late in overtime, Richard corralled a loose puck in the high slot, curved towards the Kelowna net and beat Rockets goalie Kristofer Westblom over his left shoulder to give the T-Birds a 3-2 win.
The Rockets lead the series 2-1 with Game 4 on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Prospera Place.
The T-Birds are back home for Game 5 on Thursday at 7:05 p.m. at KeyArena. Tickets to Game 5 are available by calling Ticketmaster at 206-628-0888, the T-Birds at 206-448-PUCK, online at www.seattlethunderbirds.com or at any Ticketmaster outlet.
Seattle took a 1- 0 lead 31 seconds into the first period. Jim O'Brien had the puck on the right boards. He passed the puck low to Richard who skated the puck towards the Kelowna net. Richard attempted a cross crease pass to Prab Rai to the left of the goal. Richard's pass deflected off a defender and past Westblom for the first goal of the game.
Kelowna tied the game 1-1 at 13:15 of the first on a goal by Lucas Bloodoff. Collin Bowman and Jamie Benn had the assists.
Kelowna tied the game 1-1 at 13:15 of the first on a goal by Lucas Bloodoff. Collin Bowman and Jamie Benn had the assists.
The T-Birds took 2-1 lead with a 5-on-3 power-play goal at 12:09 of the second period. Rai brought the puck out of the right corner and fed Thomas Hickey in the high slot. Hickey faked a shot and then passed quickly to the left face-off dot to Richard. Richard one-timed Hickey's pass and beat Westblom high for his second goal of the night.
The Rockets led 25-22 in total shots after two periods by outshooting the T-Birds 14-11 in the second period.
Jamie Benn scored a power-play goal 28 seconds into the third period to tie the game 2-2. Brady Leavold and Colin Long had the assists.
Seattle outshot Kelowna 4-3 in the third period but the Rockets led 28-26 in totals shots going into overtime.
The T-Birds outshot the Rockets 14-4 in overtime and 40-32 in the game.
Seattle goalie Jacob DeSerres made his first start of the playoffs and made 30 saves on 32 shots to get the win.
Westblom stopped 37 of 40 shots in the loss.
First Round Schedule Game 1 - Kelowna 3, at Seattle 2 Game 2 - Kelowna 3, at Seattle 1 Game 3 - Seattle 3, at Kelowna 2, OT Game 4 - Tuesday, March 25 at Kelowna at Prospera Place at 7 p.m. Game 5 - Thursday, March 27 vs. Kelowna at KeyArena at 7:05 p.m. Game 6 - Saturday, March 29 at Kelowna at Prospera Place at 7 p.m.* Game 7 - Tuesday, April 1 vs. Kelowna at KeyArena at 7:05 p.m.* *If necessary
Single game playoff tickets are currently on sale at all TicketMaster outlets, online at www.seattlethunderbirds.com, at the KeyArena Box Office and at The Hockey Store located at 14326 124th Ave NE in Kirkland. Playoff tickets may also be purchased by calling TicketMaster at 206-628-0888 or the T-Birds at 206-448-PUCK (7825). Single game playoff tickets are $22, $18 and $14
SCORING SUMMARY
First period - 1, Seattle, Richard 1 (O'Brien), :31. 2, Kelowna, L. Bloodoff 1 (Bowman, Benn), 13:15. Penalties - Myers, Kel (interference), 7:31. Bench, Sea (unsportsmanlike conduct-served by McKenzie), 8:21. Schappert, Sea (interference), 11:11. O'Brien, Sea (cross checking), 19:12. Dowzak, Kel (cross checking), 19:12.
Second period - 3, Seattle, Richard 2 (Hickey, Rai), 12:09 (pp). Penalties - Olson, Sea (tripping), 7:11. McCrae, Kel (hooking), 10:56. L. Bloodoff, Kel (boarding), 10:56. Dowzak, Kel (tripping), 14:34. Dillon, Sea (tripping), 19:33.
Third period - 4, Kelowna, Benn 1 (Leavold, Long), :28. Penalties - Holloway, Sea (tripping), 7:04. Nielsen, Sea (tripping), 13:15. Myers, Kel (tripping), 15:26.
Overtime - 5, Seattle, Richard 3 (Rai), 15:12. Penalties - No penalties.
Shots on goal - Seattle 10-12-4-14 40. Kelowna 11-14-3-4 32. Goalies - Seattle, DeSerres 32 shots-30 saves (1-0); Kelowna, Westblom 40-37 (2-1). Power plays - Seattle 1-5; Kelowna 1-6. A - 5,108. Referee - Matt Kirk, Cory McLean. Linesmen - Chris Carlson, Justin Hull.
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