T-Birds Fall At Home To Chiefs
March 9, 2008 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Seattle Thunderbirds News Release
Seattle, March 9th, 2008 The Seattle Thunderbirds fell to the Western Conference leading Spokane Chiefs 2-1 in front of 4,786 fans at KeyArena on Sunday evening.
The T-Birds, who were playing their fifth game in six nights, failed to overcome Spokane in the eighth and final meeting between the two teams this regular season.
Entering the final week of the WHL regular season the T-Birds cling to a four point lead for home ice- advantage in the playoffs over the rival Everett Silvertips. The first period was primarily defensive as neither team was able to find the net and Spokane attempted only one shot on goal.
Seattle outshot Spokane (48-14-1-5) 15-1 in the first period.
Spokane started the scoring late in the second period with a power-play goal by Judd Blackwater at the 13:00 mark. Ondrej Roman and Justin Falk provided the assists.
The Chiefs took a 2-0 lead at 18:44 of the second period on a David Rutherford goal. The marker was assisted by Blackwater and Trevor Glass.
Spokane outshot Seattle 11-10 in the second period. The T-Birds led in total shots 25-12 through two periods.
The T-Birds got on the board with a long goal by Sena Acolatse at 7:19 of the third period.
Acolatse rifled a one-time slapshot from the blue line over Spokane goalie Justin Tokarski's glove and into the back of the net for a Seattle power-play goal. Scott Jackson and Jim O'Brien provided the assists. Seattle (39-23-5-2) outshot Spokane 10-4 in the third period and held the shot advantage 35-16 for the game.
Tokarski stopped 34 of 35 shots faced, and his record improved to 29-9-0-3.
Seattle goalie Riku Helenius stopped 14 of 16 shots on goal and his record fell to 20-12-5-1.
Thunderbirds next game is Friday, March 14th at Everett at 7:35 p.m. The T-Birds wrap up the regular season with two games at home, Saturday, March 15th , vs. Portland at 7:05 p.m. and Sunday March 16th vs. Everett at 5:05 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 March 9, 2008
- Rockets over Bruins in Shootout - Chilliwack Bruins
- T-Birds Fall At Home To Chiefs - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Giants Weekly Recap - Vancouver Giants
- Blazers Bump Slump; Blank Cougars - Kamloops Blazers
- T-Birds Fall In Portland - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Big first period powers Chiefs - Spokane Chiefs
- Americans Reach Century Mark with 2-0 Shutout of Kelowna - Tri-City Americans
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