T-Birds Open Season with Shootout Win over Spokane
March 20, 2021 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Seattle Thunderbirds News Release
KENT - Keltie Jeri-Leon had two goals and Jeremy Hanzel scored his first career WHL goal as the Seattle Thunderbirds defeated the Spokane Chiefs 4-3 in a shootout Friday night at accesso ShoWare Center.
The game was the season opener for both teams. The T-Birds face the Portland Winterhawks Saturday at accesso ShoWare Center at 5:05pm in a game that will be broadcast on JOEtv Channel 22/Cable 110 with Ian Furness on the play-by-play call.
Henrik Rybinski was the first shooter for the T-Birds in the shootout and he beat Spokane goalie Campbell Arnold on the glove side. Adam Beckman was Spokane's first shooter and he hit the crossbar.
Payton Mount the T-Birds second shooter beat Arnold low on the glove side for the goal. Seattle goalie Thomas Milic stopped Erik Atchison to win the game for the T-Birds.
Spokane went in front 1-0 on a goal by Adam Beckman 24 seconds into the first period.
The Chiefs took a 2-0 lead at 12:24 of the second period on a goal from Raegan Wiles.
Seattle cut the Chiefs lead to one at 15:57 of the second on Hanzel's first goal in the WHL. Hanzel skated up the right wing and fed the puck to Gabe Ludwig on the left wing to start a two-on-one break. Ludwig crossed the puck back to Hanzel and he snapped the puck past Arnold. Sam Popowich had the second assist.
The assist was Ludwig's first point in the WHL.
Keltie Jeri-Leon tied the game 2-2 on the power play at 4:58 of the third period. Lucas Ciona centered the puck from behind the net to Jeri-Leon who quickly beat Arnold for his first goal of the season. Jordan Gustafson had the second assist for his first point in the WHL.
Jeri-Leon scored 1:05 after his first goal to put the T-Birds in front 3-2. Tyrel Bauer sent the puck up the right wing to Rybinski at the blue line. Rybinski gained the zone and then dropped the puck back for Jeri-Leon. Jeri-Leon beat Arnold on the glove side.
Spokane tied the game 3-3 at 15:58 of the third on a five-on-three power-play goal by Atchison.
Thomas Milic made 29 saves in the game. In overtime, he stopped Eli Zummack on a breakaway and made a post to post save to deny Adam Beckman on a wraparound attempt.
All 24 games this season are available on WHL Live on CHL TV. Fans can also listen to Thom Beuning's play-by-play on 1090 KJR.
The T-Birds will have four games in March broadcast on JOEtv. Veteran WHL play-by-play voice Ian Furness will have the call for the broadcasts. The team will announce JOEtv broadcasts in April and May at a later date.
JOEtv March Broadcast Schedule
Saturday, March 20, Seattle vs. Portland, 5:05pm
Friday, March 26, Seattle at Spokane, 5:10pm
Saturday, March 27, Seattle vs. Portland, 5:05pm
Sunday, March 28, Seattle vs. Portland, 5:05pm
SCORING SUMMARY
First period - 1, Spokane, Beckman 1 (Zummack), :24. Penalties - Larson, Spo (high-sticking), 5:10.
Second period - 2, Spokane, Wiles 1 (Beckman, Zummack), 12:24. 3, Seattle, Hanzel 1 (Ludwig, Popowich), 15:57. Penalties - Bateman, Sea (interference), :43. Sanders, Sea (elbowing), 5:44. Gross, Spo (cross checking), 8:56. Jeri-Leon, Sea (holding), 8:56.
Third period - 4, Seattle, Jeri-Leon 1 (Ciona, Gustafson), 4:58 (pp). 5, Seattle, Jeri-Leon 2 (Rybinski, Bauer), 6:03. 6, Spokane, Atchison 1 (Beckman, Russell), 15:58 (pp). Penalties - Atchison, Spo (boarding), 4:47. Bateman, Sea (double minor-roughing), 10-minute misconduct), 6:03. Lane, Spo (double minor-roughing), 10-minute misconduct), 6:03. Ciona, Sea (tripping), 15:41. Bauer, Sea (cross checking), 15:52. Sward, Spo (holding), 19:27.
Overtime - No scoring. Penalties - No penalties.
Shootout - Seattle 2 (Rybinski G, Mount G). Spokane 0 (Beckman NG, Atchison NG).
Shots on goal - Seattle 11-12-11-3 37, Spokane 8-10-11-3 32. Goalies - Seattle, Milic 32 shots-29 saves (1-0-0-0); Spokane, Arnold 37-34 (0-0-0-1). Power plays - Seattle 1-3; Spokane 1-4. Referees - Ian Jendro, Justin Nicol. Linesmen - Mark Heier, Eric McGlaughlin.
Western Hockey League Stories from March 20, 2021
- Korchinski Registers First WHL Point as T-Birds Fall to Winterhawks - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Power Play Pushes Warriors Past Broncos - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Undisciplined Play Costs Broncos against Warriors - Swift Current Broncos
- Leppard Keen to Make Season Count - Winnipeg Ice
- 'It Meant the Whole World': Blades Welcome Bobby Kirkness into the Stands - Saskatoon Blades
- Game Day Hub: March 20 - Portland Winterhawks
- Fundraising Efforts to Support Colby Cave Memorial Fund - Swift Current Broncos
- Preview - Wheat Kings vs Pats - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Calgary Hitmen Game Preview - Saturday, March 20 vs. Lethbridge - Calgary Hitmen
- Sound Transit Silvertips Hockey Returns to KRKO for All 2021 Season Games - Everett Silvertips
- Blades Take Top Spot in East; Knock off Raiders 3-1 - Saskatoon Blades
- Raiders Season-Opening Point Streak Ends Against the Blades - Prince Albert Raiders
- T-Birds Open Season with Shootout Win over Spokane - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Rebels Surrender Three Man-Advantage Markers in Shutout Loss to Oil Kings - Red Deer Rebels
- Williams Hat-Trick Powers Oil Kings to Fifth Straight Win - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Hitmen Dropped by Hurricanes - Calgary Hitmen
- Beckman Shines in Season-Opening Shootout Defeat - Spokane Chiefs
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
