WHL Seattle Thunderbirds

T-Birds Push Past Petes

Published on May 27, 2023 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Seattle Thunderbirds News Release


KAMLOOPS, B.C. - Kyle Crnkovic scored three times, including the game winner, and the Seattle Thunderbirds doubled up the Peterborough Petes, 6-3, in the opening game of the 2023 Memorial Cup for both teams. Seattle is back on the ice at the Sandman Centre for their second game of round robin play Monday when they face the Quebec Remparts. Game time is 6:00 p.m.

"It was a good one," said Crnkovic of his first Memorial Cup game. "Nice to score and contribute and to get the win in the first game is crucial."

Thunderbirds head coach Matt O'Dette said they'll take the win knowing they can play a stronger game. "It's a good lesson," he commented. "When you don't have your best and can win games. There's stuff we can correct and clean up. We know we can be better."

Seattle fell behind early when they turned the puck over at the Peterborough blue line. That led to a 2-on-0 break for the Petes and J.R. Avon converted, slipping the puck just under T-Birds goalie Thomas Milic at 1:24 of the first period.

The Thunderbirds tied the game thirty-nine seconds into the second period. Brad Lambert put a shot on net that leaked in behind Petes goalie Michael Simpson. Lucas Ciona was on the doorstep to push the puck across the goal line.

Peterborough regained the lead on an Owen Beck goal at 15:53 of period two but Crnkovic answered for Seattle fifty-two seconds later, finishing off a pass from Jared Davidson. "I was calling for it up the ice," Crnkovic explained. "Davy's a smart player. He put it right on my tape and I used the d-man as a screen."

The winning goal from Crnkovic came at the midpoint of period three. A puck battle win from Ciona freed the puck up along the boards and he got the puck to Crnkovic. "It was a good forecheck. He took the d-man out of the play, and I was able to put it home."

Eighty-two seconds later Nolan Allan scored to give Seattle a two-goal cushion. The Petes closed back to within 4-3 on an Avery Hayes power play goal at 13:56.

Once again, the T-Birds had a quick response with a Jordan Gustafson goal at 16:45. "Great play by Dacher (Colton Dach) to win the face off," said Gustafson. "Then for Kevin (Korchinski) to find me, it was a great team play for that goal."

Peterborough got a late power play and pulled the goalie to skate 6-on-4, but Crnkovic ended the suspense, completing his hat trick by scoring into the empty net at 18:26.

"Sometimes you have to find a way to win, and we did that tonight," said O'Dette. "There were good stretches of the game and stretches that were uncharacteristic. Our goal is to get stronger as the tournament goes on and we'll have to because there are tough tests ahead."

After Monday's game against Quebec, Seattle will complete the round robin portion of the tournament Wednesday against the host Kamloops Blazers.

T-BIRDS EXTRAS

With their four goal third period, Seattle has now outscored their postseason opponents 44-13 in the third period and beyond.

The win was the T-Birds in the Memorial Cup since May 9th, 1992, when they defeated Verdun, 5-3, at the Seattle Center Coliseum.

Jeremy Hanzel who led the WHL in plus/minus in the regular season at +70, then led the WHL Playoffs with a +26, finished the night +2.

Check out the Seattle Thunderbirds Statistics

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Western Hockey League Stories from May 27, 2023


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.

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