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WHL Seattle Thunderbirds

T-Birds Comeback Comes up Just Short against Winterhawks

March 1, 2020 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Seattle Thunderbirds News Release


PORTLAND - The Seattle Thunderbirds were down three goals to the Portland Winterhawks to start the third period. Goals from Conner Bruggen-Cate and Owen Williams cut the Portland lead to one, but it wasn't enough as the the Winterhawks were able to get two late goals for a 6-3 win at accesso ShoWare Center Saturday night.

The T-Birds now have a 23-30-4-3 record (53 points) and are in the second Wild Card playoff spot in the Western Conference. The T-Birds are seven points behind the Kelowna Rockets, who have a 27-27-3-3 record (60 points), for the first Wild Card playoff spot. The T-Birds and Rockets will meet on March 6 in Kelowna in their fourth and final game of the season.

The T-Birds magic number to clinch a tie for a Wild Card playoff spot is seven points. The T-Birds, at 53 points, are 11 points ahead of the Prince George Cougars who have a 17-34-4-4 record (42 points) with nine games remaining, meaning they can get at the most 60 points. The T-Birds are 12 points ahead of the Tri-City Americans who have an 17-36-4-2 record (40 points) with nine games remaining, meaning they can at the most get 58 points.

Seattle will play Everett on Saturday, March 7, at Angel of the Winds Arena. They then host the Silvertips at accesso ShoWare Center on Sunday, March 8, at 5;05pm. Single game tickets are on sale online on the T-Birds website and at the accesso ShoWare Center box office.

Portland went in front 1-0 on a goal by Seth Jarvis at 13:17 of the first period.

The Winterhawks took a 2-0 lead on a goal from Shaun Gervais at 18:10 of the first.

Seattle cut the Winterhawks lead to one goal at 3:32 of the second period. Ryan Gottfried created a turnover in the defensive zone and started a two-on-one break with Keltie Jeri-Leon. Jeri-Leon skated into the offensive zone on the left wing and took a wrist shot from the left circle. Jeri-Leon's shot came off Portland goalie Joel Hofer's left pad right to Gottfried coming down the slot. Gottfried fired the rebound past Hofer for his third goal of the season.

In the second Jarvis scored a second goal at 8:13 and Lane Gilliss scored on the power play at 18:48 to put Portland up 4-1 after two periods.

Bruggen-Cate started the comeback at 12:08 of the third period. Brendan Williamson found Bruggen-Cate in the slot with a pass. Bruggen-Cate took the pass on his forehand, spun to left and lifted a backhand shot past Hofer for his 14th goal of the season.

Williams scored at 15:51 of the third to cut the Winterhawks lead to one. Mount passed the puck to Williams in the left circle. Williams beat Hofer over the glove with a wrist shot for his second goal of the season. Henrik Rybinski had the second assists.

Robbie Fromm-Delorme scored at 16:44 of the third for Portland.

Seattle pulled goalie Blake Lyda with 1:18 left in the third for an extra attacker. Jarvis was able to score with 36 seconds left in the game to get Portland's sixth goal.

The T-Birds are now taking orders for Flex-24 Ticket packages. Fans that purchase the 24-Flex Ticket Package will be able to select any available premium seat for any game, in any ticket combination, during the 2019-20 season.

SCORING SUMMARY

First period - 1, Portland, Jarvis 38 (Dureau, ), 13:17. 2, Portland, Gervais 8 (Mannek, Gilliss), 18:10. Penalties - Dureau, Por (tripping), 4:07. Rybinski, Sea (hooking), 6:24.

Second period - 3, Seattle, Gottfried 3 (Jeri-Leon), 3:32. 4, Portland, Jarvis 39 (O'Brien), 8:13. 5, Portland, Gilliss 12 (Knak, Hanas), 18:48 (pp). Penalties - Hanus, Por (boarding), 1:04. Cicek, Por (interference, major-fighting), 5:27. Williams, Sea (unsportsmanlike conduct), 5:27. McNelly, Sea (roughing), 5:33. McNelly, Sea (roughing), 16:55.

Third period - 6, Seattle, Bruggen-Cate 14 (Williamson), 12:08. 7, Seattle, Williams 2 (Mount, Rybinski), 15:51. 8, Portland, Fromm-Delorme 9 (Gricius), 16:44. 9, Portland, Jarvis 40 (Dureau), 19:24 (en). Penalties - Rempe, Sea (tripping), 9:46.

Shots on goal - Seattle 9-8-7 24, Portland 11-13-7 31. Goalies - Seattle, Lyda 30 shots-25 saves (3-11-0-0); Portland, Hofer 24-21 (31-7-3-2). Power plays - Seattle 0-2; Portland 1-3. Referees - Fraser Lawrence, Kyle Kowalski. Linesmen - Brett Mackey, Michael McGowan.

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