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WHL Seattle Thunderbirds

T-Birds Extend Winning Streak in Regina

January 7, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Seattle Thunderbirds News Release


REGINA. Sask. -Lucas Ciona scored twice and added an assist as the Seattle Thunderbirds shut out the Regina Pats, 6-0, Friday at the Brandt Centre. Jordan Gustafson also potted two goals and Scott Ratzlaff turned aside 28 shots on goal. Seattle, 28-4-1-1 at the midpoint of the season, is now in sole possession of the best record in the WHL. The Thunderbirds six game road trip now takes them to Moose Jaw Saturday for a game versus the Moose Jaw Warriors, with a 5:05 p.m. start Seattle time.

Thunderbirds head coach Matt O'Dette said it was a workman like effort as Seattle won their ninth straight game. "Getting off to a good start was one of our keys. We wanted to start the road trip off the right way, get off on the right foot with all of our lines going and I thought we did that."

Seattle put four goals up on the board in the first period. Gustafson opened the scoring with a shorthanded goal at 3:47, finishing off a pass from Nico Myatovic who had the puck behind the Regina net. "I hadn't scored a shorty in a while. Kind of nice to get that one. Great, great feed from Nico and it ended up helping us win the hockey game. That's what matters."

Coster Dunn gave the T-birds a two-goal lead with an unassisted goal at 5:55. Gustafson then scored his second at 13:20 to make it 3-0. "I think things are going pretty well for me right now," said Gustafson of his two-goal night. "Our team is on a good path forward too and it was a good way to start this long road trip."

Seattle closed out the scoring in the opening period with a power play goal from Gracyn Sawchyn at 17:56. The Thunderbirds added to their lead when Ciona scored twice in the second period. The first came at 3:59 and the second at 9:17. Ciona has eight goals in his last six games, and a career-high 18 goals on the season. "Our line is playing good hockey. We're doing the little things right. It's creating offense. We just have to keep that going."

Ratzlaff closed the door on the Pats in the third period, making 15 of his 28 saves and earning his league best fourth shutout. Ratzlaff went 8-0-0-1 in net in the absence of fellow goalie Thomas Milic. O'Dette said Ratzlaff gave them what they needed. "He's played great. What else can you say. We know he's a good goalie. He's clearly raised his level of play up over the last month."

For his part, Ratzlaff deflected credit to his team. "The shot blocks, the numerous times where they had Grade A opportunities, guys sold out to block shots. It's a team effort." Ratzlaff now leads the WHL in shutouts with four, including each of his last two starts.

Seattle's current trek through the WHL's Eastern Division will keep them on the road for the next week. They return home to the accesso ShoWare Center January 20th to host the Lethbridge Hurricanes.

T-BIRDS EXTRAS

The Thunderbirds have won four straight from the Pats dating back to the 2017-18 season.

Jeremy Hanzel earned a pair of assists and continues to the lead the WHL in plus/minus at +38.

All four Thunderbirds who helped Canada win the gold medal at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship are now back with the team but did not play versus Regina.

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Western Hockey League Stories from January 7, 2023


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.

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