WHL Seattle Thunderbirds

Seattle Thunders Past Everett

Published on October 15, 2022 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Seattle Thunderbirds News Release


EVERETT, Wash. - Lucas Ciona had a six-point night, including a hat trick, and the Seattle Thunderbirds routed the Everett Silvertips, 11-3, Saturday at Angel of the Winds Arena. The win improves their record to 7-0-0-0, the best start in franchise history. Seattle returns to action next Saturday when they host the Spokane Chiefs at the accesso ShoWare Center. Game time is 6:05 p.m.

Ciona acknowledged that playing in Everett can be a challenge but said they came in prepared. "Super loud, but we knew we had to keep rolling. We were talking about it in the room before. The older guys were telling the younger guys to keep their composure, that it was gonna be tough on the ears."

Seattle actually had a slow start, taking three early penalties. While they were able to kill them off Everett did get the game's first goal when Ryan Hofer scored at 7:58 of the first period.

Thunderbirds head coach Matt O'Dette said it wasn't the ideal start. "A penalty on the first shift of the game, a couple more right after. The early penalty kill was big." He said some early work from goalie Thomas Milic helped them get their feet under them. Milic ended the night with 42-saves.

The Thunderbirds responded with three goals in less than four minutes. Ciona got his first at 11:58. He then assisted on Kyle Crnkovic's goal at 14:13. Nico Myatovic made it 3-1 Seattle with a power play goal just over a minute later. Everett pulled back to within 3-2 with a power play goal of their own from Austin Roest at the 17:07 mark.

Ciona agreed it was a slow start but said they stuck to their game plan. "We had the tough start with the early penalties but then we got rolling. We all played really well together and that led to more success."

Seattle broke It open with a six goal second period. All the scoring came in the second half of the frame. Jordan Gustafson put the T-Birds back up by two at 9:27. Ciona had another assist on what would stand as the game winner.

Sam Popowich was one of Seattle's seven goal scorers, potting his first of the season at 10:09. He said part of playing with a big lead is staying focused. "It was a test for us. You've got to stay in it. When we did get up like that we just focused on our habits and making sure we were still playing well with the lead. He added they are working on closing out games when they get a lead. "That was a good opportunity for us in the third and I think we did pretty good."

Jared Davidson continued the offensive onslaught with his third of the season at 13:05. Jeremy Hanzel followed just 36-seconds later. At 14:31 Reid Schaefer got in on the scoring with his team leading eighth of the season, with Ciona tacking on a third assist. Kyle Crnkovic closed out the scoring in the period with a shorthanded goal at 19:19.

Ciona got his hat trick with two goals in the third period, sandwiched around an Everett power play goal.

T-BIRDS EXTRAS

Jared Davidson played in his 200th WHL game Saturday, all with the Thunderbirds. With two goals and an assist, Kyle Crnkovic surpassed 230 points in his WHL career.

Ciona finished the weekend with nine points (4g, 5a) in two games.

In their two wins this weekend Seattle outscored their two opponents by a combined 18-3.

The Thunderbirds have scored four shorthanded goals in their last three games.

Check out the Seattle Thunderbirds Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Western Hockey League Stories from October 15, 2022


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central