T-Birds Roar Past Silvertips
December 10, 2022 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Seattle Thunderbirds News Release
EVERETT, Wash. - Mekai Sanders third period goal broke a 2-2 tie, and the Seattle Thunderbirds came from behind to edge past the Everett Silvertips, 3-2, Friday at Angel of the Winds Arena. With the win the Thunderbirds improved to 18-4-1-0 overall and are now 3-0-0-0 versus Everett this season. Seattle returns to action Saturday. They travel to Portland to face the Winterhawks. Game time at the Veteran Memorial Coliseum is 5:00 p.m.
The goal was the first for Sanders since last February. He missed the end of last season and the start to this season after suffering a significant lower body injury last March. "It felt great. I've been dying to get back on the horse, where I was, where I left off last season, especially against one of our rivals."
Thunderbirds head coach Matt O'Dette liked much of what he got from his team, which was missing five key players, and playing in a building that has given Seattle some trouble in the past. "We've been playing in this building for many years. It can be a roller coaster ride, momentum swings, things like that."
He said the key was to stay composed. "It gets loud in here. The momentum can get away from you. We stuck with it and kept our composure. We managed to have a good third period, got the tying goal and the winning goal."
After a scoreless first twenty minutes, Everett struck first at 3:48 of the second period, on a goal from Austin Roest. The Thunderbirds answered back quickly when Lucas Ciona scored at 5:11 with Jordan Gustafson and Tij Iginla assisting. Everett regained the lead at 13:12 on a power play goal from Jackson Berezowski.
Down 2-1 entering the third period, Seattle found the equalizer at 3:41 when Jared Davidson scored off the backhand, finishing off a nice passing play from Gracyn Sawchyn. Kyle Crnkovic had the second assist.
That set up Sanders' game winner at 13:13 "We kept the puck in the zone, then Sawchyn just kind of put it on a tee for me. It was a shot I work on a lot in practice, so it was just muscle memory for me." Bryce Pickford earned the second helper.
Scott Ratzlaff earned the win in goal with a 35 save performance, including denying a couple of breakaways. "The key is to just keep fighting. Pucks were bouncing everywhere. We were fighting it just a bit. Just keep your eyes on it and your head on a swivel in case the puck bounces out and be ready for the next one."
Following their game in Portland Saturday, Seattle returns home Sunday to host the Vancouver Giants at the accesso ShoWare Center. Game time is 5:05 p.m.
T-BIRDS EXTRAS
With his assist on the Davidson third period goal, Kyle Crnkovic stretched his point streak to eight games and also earned his 250th point in the WHL.
Ashton McNelly made his Thunderbirds debut Friday. The 2003 born McNelly was added to the roster for the remainder of the season on Thursday. A Right wing, he was playing for Grand Prairie of the Alberta Junior Hockey League.
With four Thunderbirds away at Team Canada Selection Camp for the upcoming IIHF World Junior Championship, Seattle recalled RW Simon Lovsin and goalie Spencer Michnik. Both Lovsin and Michnik were chosen by Seattle in the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft. Lovsin was a second-round choice (44th overall) and Michnik was taken in round five (96th overall).
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