T-Birds Fall Short in Game One
May 12, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Seattle Thunderbirds News Release
WINNIPEG, MB. -Third period goals from Reid Schaefer and Keven Korchinski were not enough as the Seattle Thunderbirds fell to the Winnipeg ICE, 3-2, Friday at the Canada Life Centre in the opening game of the Western Hockey Championship Series. Game two of the best of seven series is in Winnipeg Saturday.
Head coach Matt O'Dette lamented his team's slow start as the Thunderbirds fell behind 3-0 by the middle of the second period. "It took us awhile to get into our style of play, the way we need to play," he said.
O'Dette said it was a process of adjusting to the Winnipeg style of play. "We've seen it before, but it's been a little while. As we got adjusted to their style of play, we got better at implementing the things we need to do to be successful. It was just too little too late."
Winnipeg struck twice in the first period. The first goal came on the power play from Connor McClennon at 9:13 not long after Seattle missed converting a 2-on-1 shorthanded chance.
After the Thunderbirds were denied on their first power play, the ICE doubled their lead when Evan Friesen shoved home a rebound at 15:22.
Winnipeg extended the lead to 3-0 at 7:02 of the second period, Carson Latimer scoring just as a Seattle penalty expired. "Special teams are always a factor," said O'Dette as Winnipeg had four opportunities with the man advantage. "Too much of a factor tonight. They have a good power play. We have to do a better job of limiting their chances on the rush and the power play, not give them unnecessary opportunities."
The T-Birds finally got on the board when Schaefer redirected a Dylan Guenther shot just 28-seconds into the third period. But Seattle came up empty on their second power play chance a few minutes later.
With just over two minutes left Seattle pulled goalie Thomas Milic for the extra attacker and Korchinski scored at 18:18. The T-Birds pulled Milic again but couldn't bury a goal mouth scramble.
"We still had some chances to tie it late in the game but just didn't get the bounces," commented O'Dette. "We'll regroup, make some adjustments and be ready for tomorrow."
T-BIRDS EXTRAS
This is Seattle's fifth trip to the WHL Championship Series and the fourth time they have lost the first game of the series.
In 15 playoff games this spring Seattle has outscored the opposition 34-10 in the third period or later.
Going back to their meeting in the regular season, Schaefer has scored three goals in two games against the ICE.
Western Hockey League Stories from May 12, 2023
- T-Birds Fall Short in Game One - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Winnipeg ICE Hang on to Win Game 1 of 2023 WHL Championship Series Presented by Nutrien - WHL
- Winnipeg Leads WHL Championship Series 1-0 - Winnipeg Ice
- Warriors' Top Three Picks Excited Following Thursday's Draft - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Cougars Select 11 Players in 2023 WHL Prospect's Draft - Prince George Cougars
- Rockets Deal Overagge Defenceman To Red Deer - Kelowna Rockets
- Rebels Acquire Defenceman Carmichael from Kelowna - Red Deer Rebels
- Game #1 WHL Championship Series - ICE vs Seattle - Winnipeg Ice
- Rockets Make 10 Selections in WHL Prospects Draft - Kelowna Rockets
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