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WHL Seattle Thunderbirds

T-Birds Rumble Past Royals

February 13, 2022 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Seattle Thunderbirds News Release


Victoria, B.C. - The Seattle Thunderbirds continued their offensive onslaught in a 7-3 win over the Victoria Royals Saturday at Save on Foods Memorial Centre. The T-birds have won four games in a row, scoring 27 goals in the process. The Thunderbirds return home to the accesso ShoWare Center Tuesday when they host the Tri-City Americans. Game time is 7:05 p.m.

Thunderbirds head coach Matt O'Dette was glad to get another win and another two points in the standings. "It wasn't a work of art out there, that's for sure. There were stretches of the game where we played really well and then we kind of fell off some of our habits." He said he would have liked a more complete game, but the result is what matters the most. "Ultimately we're happy with the weekend. Four points is four points."

Henrik Rybinski and Conner Roulette paced the Seattle attack. Rybinski scored twice and added an assist. Meanwhile Roulette ended the night with four points (1g, 3a). "There's a lot of great players on this team who have their nights. Every night, every game, every shift those lines have their chances. Tonight, our line was getting those bounces, playing good hockey, supporting each other well."

Roulette earned his first assist on the game's first goal, a power play goal at 6:41 of the first period from Lucas Ciona. After Victoria tied the game less then two minutes later, Roulette and Rybinski assisted as T-birds defenseman Chase Lacombe put Seattle (27-11-4-1) back on top for good at 9:33.

It was Lacombe's first goal as a T-bird. Lacombe was acquired in late December in a trade from Swift Current. He says, thanks to his new teammates he has adjusted well to his new surroundings. "On the ice it took me maybe four or five games to fully hit my stride. I feel confident moving the puck and I understand the systems a lot more and if feels really good now."

Roulette potted his goal two minutes after the Lacombe goal, off a pass from Lukas Svejkovsky. It was his 16th of the season, but first in five games. "It feels good. Obviously, it's Sjvejy. He can shoot, he can pass. With him you gotta be ready for the puck at any time."

The T-birds stretched their lead to 5-1 with two goals in the second period. Svejkovsky snapped one home at 2:51 as Roulette picked up his third assist. Matt Rempe then scored with just under a minute left in the period.

The Royals got back within 5-3 with goals in the third period from Tarun Fizer and Bailey Peach. But Rybinski scored twice, once at 11:33 and again at 16:45, to restore the Thunderbirds four goal cushion.

Meanwhile O'Dette says hard work is paying off for his club. "We need these points. They're important games. Despite the scores I don't think at any point of the weekend we felt really comfortable with the leads." He says Victoria never quit. "we're happy to get out of here with four points and onto the next challenge."

In addition to the home contest Tuesday, the T-birds also play at home Friday at 7:05 p.m. when they host the Spokane Chiefs.

T-BIRDS EXTRAS

Rybinski stretched his point streak to eight games and has 18 points (8g, 10a) in those eight games.

Jared Davidson was awarded a penalty shot at 11:51 of the third period but rang the shot off the post. Davidson saw his seven game point streak end.

Scott Ratzlaff earned the win in goal with a 25 save effort. The 16 year old Ratzlaff is 11-0-1-0 as a starter in the WHL.

The last time Seattle swept a weekend series in Victoria was 2016-17, the same season they won their WHL Championship.

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