T-Birds Fire Seven Past Blazers
WHL Seattle Thunderbirds

T-Birds Fire Seven Past Blazers

Published on October 4, 2025 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Seattle Thunderbirds News Release


KENT, Wash. - Brendan Rudolph and Matej Pekar each scored twice as the Seattle Thunderbirds defeated the Kamloops Blazers, 7-4, Friday at the accesso ShoWare Center. The win was the second on home ice and snapped a two game losing skid. The Thunderbirds return to action Saturday, traveling north of the border to face the Penticton Vees.

"Much better effort and compete level than our last two games," said head coach Matt O'Dette. "We came out ready to play and, for the most part, stayed on our path. We continued to play the same way for much of the game as we did at the start."

The Thunderbirds jumped out two a two goal lead after one period on goals from Rudolph at 4:17 and Pekar as 16:12.

After Kamloops scored twice through the first half of the second period to tie it, the T-Birds responded with a pair of power play goals to re-establish their two goal lead heading into the third period. Antonio Martorana struck first at 10:22 followed by Pekar's second of the night at12:14.

Cameron Kuzma's goal early in the third period put Seattle up 5-2, but the Blazers responded with a pair of power play goals of their own to pull within one. It took Rudolph just nine seconds after Kamloops's 4th goal to get the T-Birds their two goal lead back.

"I thought the Rudy goal, the sixth goal, was huge, remarked O'Dette. "They just got a power play goal to cut the lead to one and the very next shift, Rudy answers. I think there is some progress with some of our young guys and Rudolph is one of those young guys stepping up his game."

Seattle (2-2-0-0) was able to hold the Blazers off the rest of the way and Coster Dunn iced it with an empty net goal in the final minute.

It was a penalty filled game as the two teams combined for 15 power plays. "We were playing physical, playing hard," explained O'Dette. " I wouldn't say many of those penalties were undisciplined but It's usually not a recipe to win giving a team ten power plays. But I thought everyone chipped in for the win."

Marek Sklenicka earned the win in net with a 34 save effort.

T-BIRDS EXTRAS

The Thunderbirds continue to play with three players still away at NHL or AHL training camps. Braeden Cootes remains with the Vancouver Canucks, Radim Mrtka is in Buffalo with the Sabres and Ashton Cumby was recently assigned by the Chicago Blackhawks to their AHL affiliate, the Rockford Ice Hogs.

The Thunderbirds made two trades recently. Last week they sent a 2027 6th round draft pick to the Kelowna Rockets for 2005 defenseman Carter Kowalyk. Earlier Friday Seattle traded the rights to Theo Stockselius to the Calgary Flames in exchange for four draft picks. The T-Birds selected Stockselius in the 2025 CHL Import Draft.

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Western Hockey League Stories from October 4, 2025


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