T-Birds Split Rival Games
Published on February 8, 2004 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Seattle Thunderbirds News Release
PORTLAND, ORE., February 7, 2004 â The Portland Winter Hawks scored twice in the third period and beat the Seattle Thunderbirds, 3-1, in Western Hockey League action Saturday at the Rose Garden.
Twenty-four hours earlier Seattle knocked off the Winter Hawks, 6-2, at KeyArena in Seattle.
The first period was scoreless but only because Seattle's penalty killers killed off five Portland power plays. Despite the Winter Hawks 5-2, power-play advantage over Seattle, they only outshot the T-Birds 13-11 in the period.
There was only one power play in the second period; it was Seattle's, and they failed to score. The scoreless tie was broken by Portland at 9:37 of the period. Michael Funk registered his second goal of the season, assisted by Alex Aldred and Darrell May.
The T-Birds tied the game six minutes later as Dustin Johner jumped off the Seattle bench, took a pass from Chris Durand and rifled a slap shot past Krister Toews. Clayton Barthel earned the second assist on Johner's 20th goal of the season.
Portland won the game with two goals on just five shots, in the final period. The game winner came off the stick of Brad Priestlay at 3:15 on a rush down the left wing. Priestlay fired a shot under a diving Thunderbird defense and beat screened Bryan Bridges through his pads. Garret Festerling was credited with the lone assist. The Winter Hawks iced the game with a shorthanded goal at 13:07. Taylor Sutherlin stole the puck at the Seattle blueline and scored unassisted.
The Thunderbirds finish their three-games-in-three-nights weekend when they return to KeyArena Sunday at 5:05 p.m. to host the Prince George Cougars.
Western Hockey League Stories from February 8, 2004
- T-Birds Beat Cougars - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Regina Pats Game Notes - Regina Pats
- Schlenker returns to the Agridome - Regina Pats
- T-Birds Split Rival Games - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Biggest Crowd of Season Sees Winter Hawks Win in Rose Garden - Portland Winterhawks
- Chiefs snap losing string with 4-2 victory over Cougars - Spokane Chiefs
- Silvertips Tame the Giants 3-0 - Everett Silvertips
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