T-Birds Knock Off Conference Leading Americans
Published on March 7, 2010 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Seattle Thunderbirds News Release
Kent,March 7, 2010 - Burke Gallimore scored two goals and Calvin Pickard made 39 saves to lead the Seattle Thunderbirds to a 4-3 victory over the Tri-City Americans on Sunday evening at the ShoWare Center.
The T-Birds (18-38-7-5) jumped out to an early lead on the Western Conference leading Americans with a 5-on-3 power-play goal at 1:49 of the first period. Prab Rai fed the puck to Burke Gallimore who was skating between the circles. Gallimore fired a one timer that deflected off Americans- goalie Alexander Pechurskiy-s blocker and into the net for his 18th goal of the season. Lindsay Nielsen earned the second assist.
Tyler Alos scored his sixth goal of the year to give Seattle a 2-0 lead at 4:47 of the period. Colin Jacobs controlled the puck along the right boards and fed a pass to Alos who was cutting toward the net. Alos deked once and lifted a backhand shot that beat Pechurskiy glove side. Prab Rai had the second assist on the goal.
The Americans (45-21-1-2) cut into the T-Bird lead to make the game 2-1 with a power-play goal by Neal Prokop at 6:34 of the period. The goal was Prokop-s 20th of the season. Brett Plouffe and Sergei Drozd earned the assists.
Tri-City outshot Seattle 12-11 in the first period.
The T-Birds took a 3-1 lead with a power-play goal at 12:44 of the second period. Pechurskiy blocked a T- Bird shot in front of the net and the puck came free to Gallimore in the high slot. Gallimore lifted the puck over Pechurskiy-s glove and into the net for his 19th goal of the season. Rai and Charles Wells were credited with assists on the goal.
Wells put the T-Birds in front 4-1 at 17:30 of the period. Robbie Ciolfi controlled the puck inside the T-Birds- defensive zone and found Wells breaking up ice behind the Americans- defense. Wells gained collected the pass from Ciolfi in the neutral zone, headed up ice on a breakaway and beat Pechurskiy five hole for his 19th goal of the season. Brendan Rouse earned the second assist on the goal.
The Americans outshot the T-Birds 14-12 in the second period and held a 26-23 advantage through 40 minutes of action.
Tri-City cut the Seattle lead in half with Johnny Lazo-s 39th goal of the season at 6:15 of the third period. Brendan Shinnimin and Zachary Yuen earned the assists.
Justin Feser made the game 4-3 with his 33rd goal of the season at 8:55 of the third period. It was a power- play goal assisted by Lazo and Shinnimin.
The Americans had a power play in the final three minutes but Pickard made several crucial saves to preserve the victory for the T-Birds.
The Americans outshot Seattle 16-5 in the final period and 42-28 for the game.
Pickard faced 42 shots and made 39 saves. His record improves to 15-32-7-5.
Pechurskiy faced 28 shots and made 24 saves. He is now 11-9-0-1.
The T-Birds and Americans face off for the final time this season on Wednesday, March 10 at the Toyota Center in Kennewick. Game time is 7:05 p.m.
Western Hockey League Stories from March 7, 2010
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- Calgary Hitmen Extend Winning Streak To Five Games - Calgary Hitmen
- Portland Knocks Off Tri-City 6-3 - Tri-City Americans
- Winterhawks Beat First Place Tri-City Americans 6-3 Saturday - Portland Winterhawks
- Everett Moves Into First Place Tie With 7-1 Win - Everett Silvertips
- Rockets earn shutout win over Vancouver - Kelowna Rockets
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