WHL Seattle Thunderbirds

T-Birds Rocket Past Kelowna

Published on December 31, 2022 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Seattle Thunderbirds News Release


KELOWNA, B.C. - Lucas Ciona scored twice, including the game winner, as the Seattle Thunderbirds beat the Kelowna Rockets, 4-1, Friday at Prospera Place. Seattle improves to 26-4-1-1 with the win, maintaining their spot atop the Western Conference. The Thunderbirds now head home for a New Year's Eve rematch with the Rockets at the accesso ShoWare Center. Game time is 6:05 p.m.

Thunderbirds head coach Matt O'Dette believes his team is slowly getting back to the way they were playing before the Christmas break. "Tonight, was a lot better than Wednesday night and Wednesday night was better than Tuesday night. We want to see that progression coming out of the break and tonight was sharper as we shake more of the rust off."

Seattle scored twice in the first period. Jordan Gustafson got the Thunderbirds on the board at 3:47 knocking home a rebound. Nico Myatovic and Bryce Pickford earned the assists. It was Gustafson's 13th goal of the season. "That was our game plan tonight, just to funnel pucks on net and get traffic in front." Seattle's second goal was Ciona's first of the night as he shoved home a rebound off a Hyde Davidson shot at the 14:32 mark.

The teams exchanged power play goals in the middle period with the Rockets striking first at 12:14. With just 14-seconds left in the second, Ciona one-timed in a pass from Gracyn Sawchyn. Jared Davidson had the second assist.

Coming off the holiday break Ciona has scored four times in three games, something his coach appreciates. "He's come out in the second half with a purpose," said O'Dette. "He's made a concerted effort to start off the second half right and determined to pick up his game. He's been really good for us."

Seattle completed the scoring when Ethan Mittesteadt potted his first of the season at 7:20 of the third period as he snapped one off the post and in. He said it's nice to contribute to the team's success. "Every night you want to be on that scoresheet but as long as you're playing hard, that's what matters. But yeah, it's nice to get in on the scoring." Gustafson had the lone assist on Seattle's fourth goal.

Scott Ratzlaff earned the win in net with a 21 save effort. He is 7-0-0-1 since Thomas Milic left in early December to play for Canada at the IIHF World Junior Championship. After allowing five goals in his last start, he said he just had to refocus. "The key is just to reset. That five-goal game, you think about it for a while. You go over the goals against and see what you can do better, where you can improve. It's always about the next puck."

Following their New Year's Eve home game, the Thunderbirds will begin the new year with six games on the road against the WHL's Eastern Division. It begins next Friday in Regina. Seattle's first home game of 2023 is January 20th versus the Lethbridge Hurricanes.

T-BIRDS EXTRAS

Kyle Crnkovic was held off the scoresheet and saw his 15-game point streak come to an end.

The Thunderbirds streak of scoring on their first shot ends at four games, instead scoring on their fourth shot against Kelowna.

Since returning from the Christmas break Seattle has scored six power play goals in three games.

Dating back to last season the Thunderbirds are 5-1 versus Kelowna in regular season play. They also beat the Rockets in the opening round of the playoffs last spring, winning the series 4-1.

Check out the Seattle Thunderbirds Statistics

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Western Hockey League Stories from December 31, 2022


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