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WHL Seattle Thunderbirds

T-Birds Open Playoffs with a Win

April 23, 2022 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Seattle Thunderbirds News Release


KENT, Wash. - Thomas Milic turned aside 21 shots, Jared Davidson provided the game winner, and the Seattle Thunderbirds blanked the Kelowna Rockets, 6-0, at the accesso ShoWare Center Friday in the opening game of their best-of-seven, first round playoff series. The two teams will face each other again in Kent Saturday in game two. Game time at the accesso ShoWare Center is 6:05 p.m.

Milic, who also had a shutout in his final start of the regular season, said his approach to his first playoff start was the same as it always is. "In the end, nothing really changes. It's still a hockey game. I think it's just cleaning up little details and making sure you're more prepared."

Seattle opened the scoring with an early power play goal from Davidson, putting back his own rebound at 1:38 of the first period. The T-birds doubled their advantage when Sam Oremba pounced on a Rockets turnover and snapped home an unassisted goal at 7:14. The lead stretched to 3-0 with another power play goal, this one from Lucas Ciona at 12:03.

In between Seattle's three first period goals, the Thunderbirds surrendered three breakaway chances to the Rockets, but Milic was sharp early. Head coach Matt O'Dette was glad his goalie was on his game from the start. "A couple grade A chances early and he slammed the door."

O'Dette wasn't happy with the chances his team surrendered to the Rockets in the early going. "The quality of the chances we gave up, while not a lot, were of that grade A quality, breakaway variety. He (Milic) was up to the challenge over and over again and that's what you need out of your goalie this time of year."

Seattle extended their advantage with two more goals in the second period. Matt Rempe scored another power play goal at 9:03 while Jordan Gustafson struck even strength at 13:43.

The T-birds closed out the scoring with Davidson's second goal of the game, also on the power play, at 19:51 of the third as Seattle finished 4-of-7 with the man advantage. Seattle also killed off seven Kelowna power plays to win the special teams battle.

"I thought the power play could have been sharper," said O'Dette. "It's nice to get some greasy ones there though. It wasn't always pretty." He added the penalty kill was solid. "The PK was fantastic. Not only did we get the kills, but we really didn't give them any momentum. I think we got some momentum from some of those kills."

T-BIRD EXTRAS

This is the ninth time since 2001 these two teams have faced each other in the postseason. Each team has won four series.

Ryan Gottfried, who missed the last ten games of the regular season with a foot issue, was back in the lineup for game one. It was probably the healthiest the T-birds have been since mid-January. Every scratch for Seattle was a healthy scratch, except for Mekai Sanders who is out for the remainder of the playoffs with a lower body injury.

O'Dette said the timing couldn't have been better. "It's nice to have that depth and have all our guys at out disposal. We've been patient, waiting for this, to get everyone healthy."

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