T-Birds Double up Tri-City
WHL Seattle Thunderbirds

T-Birds Double up Tri-City

Published on February 15, 2026 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Seattle Thunderbirds News Release


KENNEWICK, Wash. - Matej Pekar's early second period goal was the difference as the Seattle Thunderbirds earned their third straight win with a, 2-1, victory over the Tri-City Americans Saturday at the Toyota Center. Seattle stays on the road, traveling Monday for a matinee matchup in Langley against the Vancouver Giants. The T-Birds return home Friday to host the Portland Winterhawks at the accesso ShoWare Center.

The win moved the Thunderbirds within four points of a playoff spot in the Western Conference. "We've got that playoff urgency right now," said head coach Matt O'Dette. "We're under twenty games left. Every game's important. The stakes are magnified"

Despite outshooting Tri-City, 13-3, in the opening period, Seattle (21-23-4-3) fell behind when the Americans scored at 14:25. The T-Birds responded with a shorthanded goal from Antonio Martorana at 17:30, off a Coster Dunn assist. It was Seattle's eleventh shorthanded goal of the season, tied for the league lead.

"We've been really focusing on doing a better job with our special teams," explained O'Dette of his team's ability to score shorthanded. "Being aggressive on the PK, keeping them on the run, that can lead to some forced plays and turnovers."

The game winning goal from Pekar came just 27 seconds into the second period. Cameron Schmidt got the puck to Radim Mrtka to the left of the Tri-City goal. Mrtka fed a cross-ice pass to Pekar who buried he's 18th of the season into a gaping net.

Marek Sklenicka turned aside 24 shots, including thirteen in the third period to help the Thunderbirds preserve their second straight road win and earn his fourteenth win in net.

"It's the time of the season you want to be playing this way," remarked O'Dette of his team earning points in four straight games. "But you can't get satisfied or comfortable. You enjoy it for a couple of hours after the game and then it's on to the next one."

T-BIRD EXTRAS

Not only is Seattle within four points of the eighth seed in the West but they are also within five points of seventh and within six points of sixth place.

The Thunderbirds were a perfect 5 for 5 on the penalty kill, not allowing a single shot on goal on any of the Americans five power play chances.

In their last four games (3-0-1-0) Seattle has outscored their opponents 11-6. The T-Birds lead the season series over Tri-City 3-0-0-1, earning seven of eight points. The two teams play each other twice more in early March.

Check out the Seattle Thunderbirds Statistics

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Western Hockey League Stories from February 15, 2026


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