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WHL Seattle Thunderbirds

T-Birds cut down Giants in overtime

October 15, 2006 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Seattle Thunderbirds News Release


Seattle, October 14, 2006 - The Seattle Thunderbirds beat the previously unbeaten Vancouver Giants 2-1 in overtime Saturday night in front of 3,141 at KeyArena.

Chris Durand scored the game-winner at 1:25 of the overtime period on an unassisted short-handed goal. The puck was dumped by Durand at center ice towards the left corner but the puck took a tricky bounce off the near boards and ricocheted into an empty net, as Giant goalkeeper Dustin Slade left the crease to play the puck. As the puck redirected off the glass and headed towards the goal Slade lost his footing trying to change direction and ended up falling to the ice. Durand's game-winning goal was his first on the season.

The Thunderbirds are 2-3-0-3 this season. Seattle outshot Vancouver 10-9 in a scoreless first period.

The Giants (10-0-1-0) broke a scoreless tie at 19:41 of the second period on Jason Reese's seventh goal of the year. Jonathon Blum had the lone assist.

Seattle outshot Vancouver, 10-5, in the second and led, 20-14, through two periods.

The T-Birds tied the game 1-1 with 22 seconds left in the third period on the fourth goal of the year from Captain Aaron Gagnon. Thomas Hickey unleashed a one-timer from just inside the blue line near the Giants bench that sailed into the crowd gathered in front of the net. The puck found the stick of Gagnon, who redirected the Hickey shot past the left shoulder of Slade for the score. Bretton Stamler had the second assist on the power-play goal. Vancouver outshot Seattle 8-7 in the third, with the T-Birds maintaining the advantage 27-22 heading into overtime.

Both the T-Birds and Giants had two shots apiece in the overtime period. The Thunderbirds outshot the Giants 29-24 on the night.

Derek Yeomans stopped 23 of 24 shots and improved his record to 2-2-2.

Slade stopped 27 of 29 as his record falls to 5-0-1.

The T-Birds return to the ice Sunday, October 15 to take on U.S. Division rivals the Spokane Chiefs. The puck drops in KeyArena at 5:05 p.m.

Thunderbird tickets are currently on sale for all regular 2006-07 regular season home games. Tickets are priced at $20, $16 & $12 Tickets may be purchased by calling 206 628-0888 or 206 448 PUCK (7825) or online at www.seattlethunderbirds.com. Tickets may also be purchased at all TicketMaster Outlets, the KeyArena West Box Office Monday - Saturday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM and The Hockey Store located at 14326 124th Ave NE in Kirkland. For additional ticket information on Season Tickets and Group Rates please call 206 448 PUCK.

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