T-Birds Claw Past Everett
November 19, 2022 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Seattle Thunderbirds News Release
KENT, Wash. - Gracyn Sawchyn scored at 2:04 of overtime and the Seattle Thunderbirds edged past the Everett Silvertips, 2-1, Saturday at the accesso ShoWare Center. The win pushed the Thunderbirds ten games over .500 at 13-3-1-0. The third game of the Thunderbirds four game homestand is slated for Wednesday when they host the Kelowna Rockets.
"I had just stepped on the ice," said Sawchyn of his game winner. "I saw Schaefs (Reid Schaefer) had the puck, so I got open, he sauced it to me, right on my stick and I went down ice and shot it."
The goal came moments after Seattle goalie Thomas Milic stopped an Everett shot. Milic, who finished the night with 21 saves, earned the second assist on the game winner. It was his second assist of the night.
Thunderbirds head coach Matt O'Dette said his team had a slow start after having not played in a week. "The way we came out in the third is the path we need to get on. It just needed to start a lot earlier in the game."
He said his team was able to persevere and earn the win. "I'm happy with the way the guys stuck with it and finished the game strong. We had to really work for that win."
After a scoreless first period, Everett opened the scoring with a power play goal from Roan Woodard at 4:52 of the second period. Seattle answered with a power play goal of their own from Kyle Crnkovic at 8:19 of the third period. The goal snapped a 0-for-12 stretch with the man advantage.
"We were getting chances, but we were kind of forcing things a bit," said Crnkovic of the team's power play struggles. Of his goal he said, "It was just a breakout, we were in the middle of a change. Hanzel dropped it to me, and they had a guy down ice. I just made a move and was in alone and was able to get it to go in." Jeremy Hanzel and Milic had the helpers on the tying goal.
That set up the Sawchyn overtime heroics as he scored his first game winner in the WHL. "It was awesome, especially after last weekend and not getting those two points. It felt great tonight to get the extra point."
In addition to the game Wednesday against Kelowna, Seattle will host the Portland Winterhawks Friday.
T-BIRDS EXTRAS
Jared Davidson was held off the scoresheet, snapping his ten-game point streak.
While recently acquired Nolan Allan made his Thunderbirds debut, Ty Hurley was a healthy scratch. Hurley was picked up in a trade Thursday from Swift Current.
Allan played after being traded to Seattle Wednesday. He then drove 18 hours to get to Kent from Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. O'Dette appreciated the effort. "Some nerves, some fatigue, I'm sure, but he played a really solid game for us. Not a lot of daylight for the opposition when he's out there on the ice."
Luke Prokop missed the game with a lower body injury.
Western Hockey League Stories from November 19, 2022
- Hawks Stretch Win Streak to Eight With 3-2 Comeback Win Over Kamloops - Portland Winterhawks
- Royals Fall to Cougars in Heated Divisional Matchup - Victoria Royals
- ICE Get Past Regina 5-2 - Winnipeg Ice
- Hawks Complete Comeback for 3-2 OT Win Over Blazers - Portland Winterhawks
- T-Birds Claw Past Everett - Seattle Thunderbirds
- ICE Win 15th Straight with 5-2 Victory Over Pats - Regina Pats
- Tigers Fall in Wild Affair in Prince Albert - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Cowan Stops 54 Shots in First Start as a Chief, Spokane Falls 6-2 to Calgary - Spokane Chiefs
- Finnie's Buzzer-Beater Gives Edmonton Second Straight Win in Lethbridge - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Silvertips Earn Point in 2-1 OT Loss in Kent - Everett Silvertips
- Nick Jones Leads Wheat Kings to Victory Saturday - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Raiders Beat Tigers 5-4 in Penalty Filled Contest - Prince Albert Raiders
- Hitmen Dominate Chiefs - Calgary Hitmen
- Mike Johnston Reaches 1,000 Point Benchmark - Portland Winterhawks
- Warriors Skate to Commanding Win in Swift Current on Saturday - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Broncos Blanked on Home Ice by Warriors - Swift Current Broncos
- Americans Travel to Kelowna Looking to Win Back-To-Back Games - Tri-City Americans
- Game Preview: Prince George Cougars at Victoria Royals (Game #21) - Prince George Cougars
- Wheat Kings Conclude Road Trip in Red Deer - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Game Day Hub: November 19 vs Kamloops - Portland Winterhawks
- Chiefs Host Calgary Hitmen Saturday for First Time Since 2018-19 Season - Spokane Chiefs
- Game Day Preview November 19 at Prince Albert - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Pats Look to Bounce Back Today in Winnipeg - Regina Pats
- Thornton's Six Point Night Helps Cougars to 9-1 Clobbering over Victoria - Prince George Cougars
- Americans Complete Comeback, Defeat Calgary in Overtime - Tri-City Americans
- Game #21 - ICE vs Regina Pats, 8:00 at the ICE Cave Inside Wayne Fleming Arena - Winnipeg Ice
- Blades Beat Tigers 4-3 in Overtime Thriller - Saskatoon Blades
- Oil Kings Stun Wheat Kings Friday - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Rockets Drop Chiefs 10-3 - Kelowna Rockets
- G-Men Drop Legends Night Game 4-1 - Vancouver Giants
- Chiefs Fall to Kelowna Rockets 10-3 on the Road Friday - Spokane Chiefs
- Second-Period Swarm Helps Hawks Take Down 'Tips 4-1 - Portland Winterhawks
- Silvertips Fall 4-1 in Portland as Bear, Maze Make WHL Debut - Everett Silvertips
- Royals Start Weekend With Loss To Cougars - Victoria Royals
- Hodnett Hat-Trick Leads Oil Kings Over Wheaties - Edmonton Oil Kings
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.
