WHL Seattle Thunderbirds

T-Birds Take Monday Matinee with Chiefs

Published on January 16, 2012 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Seattle Thunderbirds News Release


Spokane,January 16, 2012 - Newly acquired right wing Seth Swenson figured in all three Seattle goals Monday afternoon at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena in Spokane.

Swenson had two goals, and was in the penalty box on Seattle's third goal, in the T-Birds 3-2 victory over the Spokane Chiefs.

Swenson was acquired at the trade deadline on January 10 from the Portland Winterhawks for left wing Marcel Noebels and first round bantam picks in 2012 and 2013.

The T-Birds travel to Kennewick to face the Tri-City Americans on Tuesday at 7:05pm.

Mike Aviani opened the scoring at 3:46 of the first period to put the Chiefs in front 1-0. Marek Kalus and Corbin Baldwin had the assists.

Both teams had 11 shots on goal in the first period.

Seattle (17-23-0-1) tied the game 1-1 at 4:21 of the second period on a power-play goal from Seth Swenson. The T-Birds moved the puck around the Spokane zone with some crisp passes. Swenson got the puck at the left post and jammed it past Spokane goal Mac Engel for the tying goal. Luke Lockhart and Connor Honey had the assists on Swenson's first goal as a T-Bird.

Spokane (22-14-3-3) went in front 2-1 on a goal from Blake Gal at 6:42 of the second. Steve Kuhn had the only assist on the goal.

The Chiefs outshot the T-Birds 8-5 in the second period and led 19-16 in total shots after two periods.

At 11:35 of the third period, Swenson and Connor Sanvido worked the give-and-go to perfection to tie the game 2-2. Swenson carried the puck up ice on the left side with Sanvido on his right and Dillon Wagner trailing the play. In the faceoff circle Swenson passed the puck to Sanvido, who sent it right back to Swenson, forcing Engel to follow the puck. When Swenson got the puck back he beat a lunging Engel for his second goal of the night.

Justin Hickman gave the T-Birds the lead, 3-2, at 14:36 of the third with a shorthanded goal. Tyler Alos sent the puck up ice from the left boards to a breaking Hickman. Hickman came down on Engel and put a shot on goal. Engel made the save but the slid backwards into the goal with the puck giving Hickman the goal. Brad Deagle had the second assist on the goal. Swenson was in the penalty box serving an interference penalty when Hickman scored.

Spokane outshot Seattle 14-8 in the third period and 33-24 in the game.

Seattle goalie Calvin Pickard stopped 31 of 33 shots and his record is now 17-19-0-1.

Engel made 21 saves on 24 shots and his record is now 19-12-1-2.

The T-Birds next home game is Friday, January 20, against the Kamloops Blazers at 7:35pm .

T-Birds single game tickets for the 2011-12 season are available online at the T-Birds website and at the ShoWare Center box office. The ShoWare Center Box Office is open Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday game days at 10 a.m. and Sunday game days at noon.

T-Birds season tickets are currently on sale. Season tickets can be purchased by calling the T-Birds office at 253-239-7825.

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Western Hockey League Stories from January 16, 2012


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