WHL Seattle Thunderbirds

T-Birds Shut Out Tips

December 28, 2007 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Seattle Thunderbirds News Release


Seattle, December 28, 2007 - Seattle Thunderbirds goalie Jacob DeSerres made 28 saves and the T-Birds got goals from Lindsay Nielsen, Jim O'Brien and Prab Rai Friday night for a 3- 0 shutout victory over the Everett Silvertips in front of 5,030 at KeyArena.

DeSerres had seven saves in the first period, 12 saves in the second period and nine saves in the third to get his second shutout of the season. His record is now 8-4-0-1.

Seattle improves to 16-11-5-1 in the US Division and is now tied with Everett for third in the division. They are tied with Everett and the Chilliwack Bruins for fifth in the Western Conference. Seattle took a 1-0 lead at 5:31 of the first period on the ninth goal of the year from Nielsen. Bud Holloway had the puck in the right corner. Holloway put a shot on goal that Everett goalie Leland Irving stopped. The rebound lay just in front of the goalie and Nielsen, who was charging to the crease on Holloway's shot, slammed the puck through Irving's legs for the goal. Greg Scott had the second assist on the goal.

Ian McKenzie had a goal waved off at 13:39 of the first when the referees ruled he played the puck with a high stick.

Everett (18-18-0-2) outshot Seattle 7-6 in the first period.

O'Brien put the T-Birds in front 2-0 at 1:06 of the second period. Jan Eberle fed the puck from the right corner to Sena Acolatse at the high point. Acolatse put a shot on goal that rebounded to O'Brien to the left of the goal. O'Brien took a second to control the puck and then beat Irving high on the glove side. It was O'Brien's seventh goal of the year.

Rai made it a 3-0 Seattle lead with a great individual effort at 13:01 of the second. Acolatse got the puck to Rai in the Seattle zone and the center brought the puck up the ice. He crossed the Everett blue line, snuck through two Everett defenders and then beat Irving high on the glove side while falling down.

Seattle outshot Everett 16-12 in the second period and led 22-16 in shots after two periods.

The T-Birds outshot the Tips 10-9 in the third period and 32-28 in the game.

Irving made 29 saves on 32 shots and his record is now 15-14-0-2.

The T-Birds face the Moose Jaw Warriors on Sunday, December 30, at 5:05 p.m. at KeyArena. They then head down to Portland to take on the Winter Hawks on New Year's Eve at 5 p.m. at Memorial Coliseum.

Season tickets are currently on sale for 2007-08 at KeyArena. Fans purchasing 2007-08 season tickets will have the highest seating priority for the 2008-09 season as the Thunderbirds open the new Kent Events Center. Priority can be established right now by calling 206-448-PUCK (7825) or for more information go to www.seattlethunderbirds.com.

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Western Hockey League Stories from December 28, 2007


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