T-Birds Extinguish Blazers
January 23, 2008 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Seattle Thunderbirds News Release
Kamloops, BC, January 23, 2008 - Seattle Thunderbirds goalie Riku Helenius made 24 saves, including several spectacular ones in the first period against the Kamloops Blazers Wednesday night in front of 4,261 at the Interior Savings Centre, to help lead the T-Birds to 4-2 victory.
Helenius kept his team in the game in the first period and then the Seattle offense struck for two goals in both the second and third period.
Seattle improves to 22-16-5-2 in the US Division as they head to Spokane to take on the Chiefs on Friday night at 7 p.m. Seattle outshot Kamloops (22-24-1-2) 11-8 in a scoreless first period.
The T-Birds took a 1-0 lead on a power-play goal by Thomas Hickey at 4:19 of the second period. Greg Scott put the puck behind the Kamloops goal to Bud Holloway. Holloway came around the net on the left side and centered the puck to Hickey in the high slot. Hickey one-timed Holloway's pass with a slap shot and beat Kamloops goalie Justin Leclerc for his ninth goal of the year.
Ivan Rohac scored at 12:56 of the second period to tie the game 1-1. Andy Rogers had the only assist on the goal.
David Richard scored at 17:52 of the second to put the T-Birds in front 2-1. Prab Rai and Jim O'Brien fought for the puck along the boards at the Kamloops blue line against two Blazers defenders. The puck squirted loose to Richard who came brought the puck into the Kamloops zone with a defender in front of him. Richard put a hard wrist shot past Leclerc over the blocker for his ninth goal of the year. It was Richard's third goal in as many games. The T-Birds outshot the Blazers 14-8 in the second period and led 25-16 in total shots going into the second intermission.
Rohac scored a second goal at 1:55 of the third period to tie the game 2-2. Rodgers and Nick Ross had the assists.
Seattle took the lead back 25 seconds after the Blazers tied the game. Holloway won a face off forward in the right circle of the Blazers zone. Holloway was heading behind the Kamloops net when he centered the puck to Scott in the slot. Scott put a wrist shot on goal that beat Leclerc over the glove.
Kamloops pulled Leclerc for an extra attacker with just over a minute left in the game. Seattle was able to ice the game when Rai scored an empty-net goal at 19:13 of the third. O'Brien and Richard had the assists on Rai's fifth goal of the year.
Seattle finished the game outshooting the Blazers 37- 26.
Helenius improved his record to 12-9-5-1 with the win.
Leclerc stopped 33 of 36 shots and his record is now 16-18-1-1.
The T-Birds travel to Spokane to take on the Chiefs on Friday, January 25, at 7 p.m. They are home on Saturday, January 26, to take on the Everett Silvertips at 7:05 p.m. at KeyArena. The T-Birds finish out the weekend in Kennewick against the Tri-City Americans on Sunday, January 26, at 5 p.m.
Season tickets are currently on sale for 2007-08 at KeyArena. Fans purchasing 2007-08 season tickets will have the highest seating priority for the 2008-09 season as the Thunderbirds open the new Kent Events Center. Priority can be established right now by calling 206-448-PUCK (7825) or for more information go to www.seattlethunderbirds.com.
Western Hockey League Stories from January 23, 2008
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