T-Birds Sweep Cougars to Advance to Second Round of Playoffs
March 31, 2016 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Seattle Thunderbirds News Release
PRINCE GEORGE, BC - Nolan Volcan scored two goals Wednesday night, including the overtime game-winning goal, to give the Seattle Thunderbirds a 4-3 overtime victory in Game 4 of their first round playoff series against the Prince George Cougars.
The T-Birds swept the best-of-seven series against the Cougars 4-0 and advance to the second round of the playoffs.
The T-Birds will play the Everett Silvertips in the second round. The Silvertips beat the Portland Winterhawks 4-2 Wednesday night to sweep their first round series 4-0.
Game 1 against the Silvertips is Friday, April 8, at 7:35pm at ShoWare Center. Game 2 is Sunday, April 10, at 5:05pm at ShoWare Center. The full second round schedule will be released Thursday.
Single game tickets for Game 1 and Game 2 will go on sale Friday, April 1, at noon. Single game playoff tickets will be on sale on the T-Birds website and at the ShoWare Center box office. The ShoWare Center Box Office is open Monday through Friday 10am to 5pm and Saturday and Sunday game days at noon.
The T-Birds have a Group Ticket Special for fans that want to purchase tickets to Game 1 and Game 2, or both, against Everett before they go on sale to the general public. Fans that purchase 10 tickets to either Game 1 or Game 2 for $180 will also receive 2 additional FREE tickets to the playoff game they choose. Fans can purchase this playoff Group Ticket Special for Game 1 and Game 2 online or by calling the T-Birds at 253-239-PUCK (7825).
Volcan scored the overtime game-winning goal 34 seconds into overtime. Mathew Barzal sent the puck from the right corner to Jerret Smith at the right point. Smith took a wrist shot that rebounded off Prince George goalie Ty Edmonds to Volcan to the left of the goal. Volcan snapped the rebound past Edmonds for his second goal of the game.
The T-Birds previous quickest overtime game-winning goal was 37 seconds by David Svagrovsky in a 2-1 Game 5 win against the Kootenay Ice on April12, 2003. That win clinched a 4-1 second round series victory over the Ice and advanced the T-Birds to the Western Conference Finals.
Seattle goalie Landon Bow stopped 21 of 24 shots to get the win.
Seattle took a 1-0 lead at 4:30 of the first period. Scott Eansor took a pass from Nick Holowko at center ice for a partial breakaway. At the top of the slot Eansor dropped the puck for Barzal who skated into the right circle. Barzal took a wrist shot that Prince George goalie Ty Edmonds stopped. Eansor was on top of the crease to knock in the rebound.
The T-Birds went in front 2-0 at 7:39 of the first on a breakaway goal from Volcan. Volcan stole the puck in the neutral zone to spring the breakaway. Volcan beat Edmonds low on the glove side for his first goal of the playoffs.
Prince George cut the T-Birds lead to 2-1 at 14:04 of the first on a goal from Jansen Harkins. Brad Morrison and Chase Witala had the assists.
Seattle outshot Prince George 13-7 in the first period.
The Cougars made it a 2-2 game 11:07 of the second period when Chase Witala scored a four-on-four goal. Tate Olson had the only assist on the tying goal.
Jared Bethune scored a power-play goal at 13:41 of the second to give the Cougars a 3-2 lead. Brogan O'Brien and Tate Olson had the assists.
Prince George outshot Seattle 10-9 in the second period. Seattle led 22-17 in shots after two periods.
Ethan Bear tied the game 3-3 with a power-play goal at 9:20 of the third period. Barzal held the puck along the left boards. Bear pinched down from the left point and Barzal hit him with a cross-ice pass. Bear beat Edmonds with a wrist shot high for his second goal of the playoffs. Donovan Neuls had the second assist.
The T-Birds outshot the Cougars 14-7 in the third period and led 36-24 in shots after regulation.
The T-Birds outshot the Cougars 3-0 in overtime and 39-24 in the game.
Edmonds made 35 saves on 39 shots in the loss.
Seattle vs. Prince George First Round Results
Game 1 At Seattle 3, Prince George 2, OT
Game 2 At Seattle 4, Prince George 1
Game 3 Seattle 5, at Prince George 0
Game 4 Seattle 4, at Prince George 3, OT
Western Hockey League Stories from March 31, 2016
- WHL Disappointed with City Decision - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Rebels, Hitmen to Make History - Red Deer Rebels
- Silvertips Announce Second Round WHL Playoffs Schedule vs. Seattle Thunderbirds - Everett Silvertips
- Rockets Alumni Jordon Cooke WHL Grad of Month - Kelowna Rockets
- Huskies Netminder Cooke Earns WHL Grad of the Month - WHL
- Derlago Cracks Top 20 All Time - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Hitmen to Host Game 4 Friday at the Stampede Corral - Calgary Hitmen
- Top 50 WHL Players of All-Time: Linden, Derkatch, Derlago Named to List by Fans - WHL
- Year in Review: Part 2 - Big Games - Medicine Hat Tigers
- T-Birds Release Second Round Playoff Schedule vs. Everett - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Wheat Kings Take Game 3 - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Silvertips Sweep Portland - Everett Silvertips
- Blazers Beat Rockets 5-1, Even Series at Two - Kamloops Blazers
- Spokane Disappointed in Overtime in Game Four - Spokane Chiefs
- Royals Down Chiefs in OT in Game 4 - Victoria Royals
- T-Birds Sweep Cougars to Advance to Second Round of Playoffs - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Series Tied 2-2: Blazers Beat Rockets 4-1 - Kelowna Rockets
- Oil Kings Drop Game 3 to Brandon 3-1 - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Pats Move within a Game of Advancing - Regina Pats
- Winterhawks Fall 4-2 as Everett Advances to Second Round - Portland Winterhawks
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
