WHL Seattle Thunderbirds

T-Birds Smoke Blazers

Published on February 7, 2008 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Seattle Thunderbirds News Release


Seatltle, February 6, 2008 - Jim O'Brien scored two goals and had an assist and Ian McKenzie had a goal and two assists Wednesday night to lead the Seattle Thunderbirds to a 6-3 victory over the Kamloops Blazers in front of 2,704 at KeyArena.

David Richard also scored two goals as the T-Birds moved into third place in the US Division and fifth place in the Western Conference playoff standings. The T-Birds record is now 27-18-5-2.

The T-Birds passed the Everett Silvertips in the division and conference standings as they lost to the Spokane Chiefs 4-1 Wednesday night in Spokane. Kenton Dulle scored 28 seconds into the first period to give Kamloops the early 1-0 lead. Shayne Wiebe and Devon Kalinksi had the assists.

Seattle evened the score when O'Brien scored at 11:23 of the first period. O'Brien collected a pass from Mckenzie in the high slot and put a wrist shot into the left corner of the net under the stick of Kamloops goalie Justin Leclerc for his 12th goal of the year.

Seattle took a 2-1 lead at 13:27 of the first period when David Richard redirected a Jeremy Schappert slap shot from the left point past Leclerc. It was Richard's 13th goal of the year.

Kamloops (25-28-1-2) out shot Seattle 13-12 in the first period.

Seattle wasted no time in the second period of play, taking a 3-1 lead at the :27 mark on a goal by Greg Scott. The goal came when Scott picked up a loose puck in front of the crease and pushed a shot past the stick of Leclerc for his 23rd goal of the year. Lindsey Nielsen and Bud Holloway had the assists for Seattle.

Matt Wray scored at 7:03 of the second period to bring Kamloops within one goal at 3-2. Mark Hall and Sasha Golin had the assists.

The Thunderbirds took a 4-2 lead when O'Brien scored at 13:30 of the second. O'Brien's goal came on a breakaway when received a pass in the high slot from McKenzie and put a shot through the legs of Leclerc for his second goal of the night. Prab Rai also had an assist for Seattle.

The T-Birds out shot Kamloops 17-15 in the second period and led in total shots 29-28.

Kamloops again pulled within one when Golin redirected a shot past Helenius at 3:27 of the third period. Wiebe and Bubnick had the assists for the Blazers.

Seattle increased their lead to 5-3 at the 17:16 mark of the third period when McKenzie scored on a backhand shot past the stick of Leclerc. Scott Jackson and Charles Wells had the assist.

Seattle finished the game when Richard put the puck the puck into an empty net at the 19:48 mark of the third for his second goal of the night. O'Brien had the only assist on the goal.

The Blazers outshot the T-Birds 12-8 in the third period and 40-37 in the game.

Seattle goalie Riku Helenius stopped 37 of 40 shots and his record is now 16-9-5-1.

Leclerc made 31 saves on 36 shots and his record is now 19-20-1-1.

The Thunderbirds next game is Friday, February 8, at 7:05 p.m. when they travel to Spokane to face the Chiefs. Seattle also has home games on Saturday, February 9 vs. Portland and Sunday February 10 vs. Spokane.

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 February 7, 2008


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