T-Birds Declaw the Cougars
December 14, 2022 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Seattle Thunderbirds News Release
KENT, Wash. - Jordan Gustafson registered a hat trick and the Seattle Thunderbirds skated past the Prince George Cougars, 8-1, Tuesday at the accesso ShoWare Center. Six different Seattle players had multiple points as the Thunderbirds improved their record to 20-4-1-1. Seattle completes the three-game homestand Friday with their final home game before the Christmas break. They host the Everett Silvertips. Game time is 7:05 p.m.
Seattle raced out to a 4-0 lead after one period, led by Gustafson's hat trick. "It's been a while for sure," said Gustafson about scoring three goals in a period. "Maybe dating back to Novice, or something like that. Nice to get that done."
Gustafson's first goal came at 3:18 as he swept in a rebound of a Nico Myatovic shot. Lucas Ciona had the second assist. Bryce Pickford made it 2-0 at 10:22 as he sliced through the Cougars defense and sniped one under the bar. "I saw there were two guys wide, and one in the middle. I knew I had enough speed to beat the two guys and I just attacked the third guy and beat the goalie." Gracyn Sawchyn had the lone assist.
Pickford, A WHL rookie, has ten points (3g, 7a) in his last five games. He says he's getting more confident playing at this level after seeing some time in the postseason with Seattle last spring. "Yeah, for sure. I'm feeling a lot more comfortable. Especially after last year and coming up here for the playoffs, getting in ten games or so. Getting those games in the playoffs helped coming into this season."
Gustafson got his second goal at 12:50, finishing a passing play with Ciona. Myatovic picked up an assist as well. Gustafson completed the hat trick, scoring his third goal at 15:32, with Myatovic and Pickford assisting. He said scoring early was one of the pregame goals for the team. "That was one of our keys coming into the game, to make sure we get that first goal and getting a good start. We wanted to get that done for Odie (head coach Matt O'Dette) and the coaching staff."
The Thunderbirds tacked on two more goals in the second period. Myatovic scored at 7:51. Ciona picked up his third assist, along with Sawyer Mynio. Seattle chased Prince George starting goalie Ty Young when Kyle Crnkovic buried a Pickford rebound at 12:15. The goal extended Crnkovic's point streak to eleven games. It's his second eleven game point streak this season.
The Cougars finally got on the board with a power play goal in the last minute of the second period. The Thunderbirds came back with two more goals in the third to finish the onslaught. Crnkovic's second of the night came at 11:04. Simon Lovsin, playing in his first game in the WHL, had one assist and Jared Davidson had the second. A 5-on-3 power play goal from Sam Popowich completed the scoring. Gustafson and Tij Iginla were credited with the helpers.
Gustafson said with five players missing the last four games, everyone has stepped up. "When you have a lot of your top players out, that's just more opportunity for other guys to jump up and make an impact. We had a lot of young guys make a big impact tonight. We have a really deep team, and we have a lot of trust in everybody."
Scott Ratzlaff made 22-saves to pick up his ninth win in net.
After Friday night's home game, Seattle finishes the week with a trip up to Everett Saturday for a 6:05 p.m. start. It will be the final game before Christmas. Seattle returns from the holiday break December 27th when they host the Spokane Chiefs in the Battle of the Sound at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle.
T-BIRDS EXTRAS
Seattle completed the four game regular season series against Prince George with a 3-1-0-0 record.
The Thunderbirds are ranked #1 in the latest Kia CHL Top Ten Poll.
Four Thunderbirds, Kevin Korchinski, Nolan Allan, Reid Schaefer and Thomas Milic have been named to Canada's roster for the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championships. The tournament gets underway on December 26th and runs through January 5th. Moncton, New Brunswick and Halifax, Nova Scotia are the host cities.
Three Thunderbirds, Nico Myatovic, Scott Ratzlaff and Gracyn Sawchyn, have been selected to participate in the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game January 25th in Langley, B.C.
Western Hockey League Stories from December 14, 2022
- Raiders Suffer Narrow 3-2 Loss to Tigers - Prince Albert Raiders
- Pats Battle Back to Beat Chiefs 4-3 in a Shootout - Regina Pats
- Kelowna Topple Broncos 5-2 - Kelowna Rockets
- Rysavy Headed to Czechia's World Junior Camp - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Preview: Rockets At Broncos - Kelowna Rockets
- Game Time Changed December 30 - Winnipeg Ice
- Chiefs Continue Road Trip in Swetlikoff's Hometown of Regina Wednesday - Spokane Chiefs
- Americans Hit the Road on 6-Game Winning Streak - Tri-City Americans
- Samuel Honzek Invited to Slovakia's World Junior Selection Camp - Vancouver Giants
- Winterhawks Call up Defenseman Nicholas Andrusiak - Portland Winterhawks
- Game Day Preview December 14 at Prince Albert - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Pats Back Home Versus Spokane - Regina Pats
- T-Birds Declaw the Cougars - Seattle Thunderbirds
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