T-Birds fall in overtime to Americans
December 5, 2007 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Seattle Thunderbirds News Release
Seattle, December 4, 2007 - The Tri-City Americans defeated the Seattle Thunderbirds 3-2 in overtime Tuesday night in front of 3,012 at KeyArena.
The T-Birds are now 11-10-5-1 in the US Division and face the Portland Winter Hawks on Friday, December 7, at 7:30 p.m. at Memorial Coliseum.
Seattle took a 1-0 lead at 8:19 of the first period on a goal by Josh Schappert. Jan Eberle brought the puck into the Tri-City zone along the boards on the left side. At the left face-off dot Eberle centered the puck to Schappert who was crashing the net. Schappert redirected the puck past Tri-City goalie Chet Pickard for the goal. Greg Scott had the second assist on the goal. Tri-City (21-6-0-0) outshot Seattle 12-4 in the first period.
Greg Scott put the T-Birds up 2-0 at 5:18 of the second period. Off a face off in the right circle in the Tri-City zone Lindsay Nielsen lightly tapped the puck forwards. Scott came in from the left hash marks, gathered the puck and beat Pickard with a quick wrist shot over the glove on the short side.
Tri-City cut the Seattle lead to one goal when TJ Fast scored at 15:51 of the second period. Brett Plouffe and Jason Gardiner had the assists.
The Americans outshot the T-Birds 10-8 in the second period and led 22-12 in total shots after two periods.
Colton Yellow Horn tied the game 2-2 three minutes into the third period when he scored a 5-on-3 three power-play goal. Jason Reese and Shaun Vey had the assists.
Tri-City outshot Seattle 14-10 in the third period and led 35-22 in shots heading into overtime.
Kruise Reddick scored the winner, on the power play, at 1:47 of overtime. Fast and Vey had the assists.
Seattle goalie Riku Helenius made 34 saves on 37 shots and his record is now 6-7-5-0.
Pickard stopped 22 of 24 shots and his record is now 17-4-0-0.
Seattle now has three games in three days over the weekend. They have a home-and-home series with the Portland Winter Hawks on Friday and Saturday. They are at Portland on Friday at 7:35 p.m. and home at KeyArena against the Winter Hawks on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. Seattle finishes out the weekend against the Chilliwack Bruins at 5:05 p.m. on Sunday at KeyArena.
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 December 5, 2007
- Blades Weekly - Saskatoon Blades
- Wheat King Prospect Honoured - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Wheaties Move To Top Of Division - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Blazers Back In Win Column, 6-4 Over Portland - Kamloops Blazers
- Reddick Tips Americans Past 'Birds in OT - Tri-City Americans
- Bruins Maul Cougars - Chilliwack Bruins
- T-Birds fall in overtime to Americans - Seattle Thunderbirds
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