WHL Seattle Thunderbirds

T-Birds/Bridges Shut Out Americans

Published on January 22, 2004 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Seattle Thunderbirds News Release


SEATTLE, JANUARY 21, 2004 — The Seattle Thunderbirds (now 14-22-8-2) added two more points in their U.S. Division standing tonight as they begin to make a run toward the Western Hockey League playoffs.

On the shoulders of an outstanding performance by Seattle goalie Brian Bridges, the Thunderbirds shutout the Tri-City Americans by a score of 4-0 tonight in Seattle's KeyArena.

"I thought the effort was good; that was a solid 60-minute effort," said Thunderbirds' Head Coach Dean Chynoweth. "We got a goal on the power play and some good goal tending. I thought [Bridges] was really focused. He was solid in his warm ups and that carried over into his play in the game."

Continuing the streak of being unbeaten in KeyArena by division opponents in 2004, Seattle turned it up a notch to post a well-rounded win on both sides of the puck. This win comes as the T-Birds are skating one man under the WHL limit due to injury.

"I got to see all the shots tonight," said Bridges. "My defense did a good job of giving me clear lanes to see the puck."

In a very un-Seattle like fashion, they were out shot in the game (24-23). The T-Birds came into the game after having set a season-high mark for shots on goal with 48 last Sunday against the Prince George Cougars in KeyArena. But Seattle made the most of every chance tonight.

Seattle plays again in KeyArena on Friday against their southern I-5 rivals—the Portland Winter Hawks. The puck will drop at 7:05 p.m. at KeyArena.

GOAL RECAPS:

In the first period, the T-Birds made a statement on their first power play opportunity, in spite of not making their way onto the scoreboard. Looking as sharp as they had all year on special teams, the Thunderbirds let the Americans know they had their hands full. On their second power play, the T-Birds strengthened that statement when Denis Tolpeko scored his 12th goal of the year at 18:03. Dustin Johner and Chris Durand were credited with assists. That would be the only goal scored for either team in the first and would prove to be the game winner.

Justin Maiser set up his team to go ahead by two in the 14th minute as he made a run on American's goalie Weiman. His shot hit Weiman who bobbled and lost the puck while falling to his side. A hustling Steven Goertzen had aggressively followed the play and managed to get his stick on the lose puck and force it across the goal line—giving Seattle a two-goal lead. Clayton Barthel and Maiser were credited with the assists on Goertzen's 10th goal of the year at 14:34.

Less than three minutes later, the T-Birds would increase their lead to three goals. Maiser had again taken a hard shot, and Weiman made the initial stop; but Weiman was unable to control the rebound. Aaron Gagnon, who had won the face off and made the pass to Maiser had continued toward the net, managed to control the puck and wrap around the goal beating Weiman to the opposite-side post. His wrap-around goal, which came at 17:12, was his 13th of the year. Maiser was credited with his second-straight goal.

For the second time on the night, the T-Birds won a face off in the American's zone and made a strong play to the net. On only the team's 19th shot of the night, Adam Huxley scored his fourth goal of the year. Yashar Farmanara and Goertzen (the game's third star) assisted at 16:47 to seal the win.

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THREE STARS:

1—Brian Bridges, Seattle

2—Justin Maiser, Seattle

3—Steven Goertzen, Seattle

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Western Hockey League Stories from January 22, 2004


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