T-Birds Thwarted at Climate Pledge
February 27, 2022 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Seattle Thunderbirds News Release
Seattle, WA. - Despite pouring 48 shots on goal the Seattle Thunderbirds were shutout, 4-0, Saturday by the Everett Silvertips at Climate Pledge Arena. The T-birds could not capitalize on seven power play chances as they were blanked for the third time this season. The Thunderbirds look to snap a two-game losing streak when they host the Kelowna Rockets Sunday at the accesso ShoWare Center in Kent. Game time is 5:05 p.m.
"I thought, generally, we played pretty well," commented T-birds head coach Matt O'Dette after the game. While Seattle's performance was dominant at times, he said they didn't get any puck luck, especially on the power play. "Our special teams, our power play was pretty good. We had lots of zone time, lots of scoring chances, some posts, some crossbars. We just couldn't break through."
It was a back and forth first period as Seattle (30-13-4-1) outshot Everett 14-12, killing off two Silvertips power plays in the process. The period ended with the game still scoreless.
It would remain that way until just past the midway point of period two, when Everett's Hunter Campbell scored at 10:48. The T-birds failed to solve Silvertips goalie Koen McInnes despite pumping 22 shots on net in the period.
Everett would add to their lead with a goal early in period three. Just before a three-and-a-half minute T-birds power play was to begin, Ryan Hofer scored on a 2-on-1 rush as the team's skated four aside.
"We knew it was a big moment in the game," said O'Dette. "We were ramping it up for that three-and-a-half-minute power play that was coming our way. We made a mistake 4-on-4 and all of a sudden we have a two-goal deficit." The Silvertips then put the game away when Alex Swetlikoff scored at 16:04 and Campbell got his second of the night, into an empty net, at 18:29.
O'Dette said on most nights if you can put 48 shots on net you will find success, but sometimes you come up against an opposing goalie who is on his game. "Some nights you break through, and you get three, four or five goals. Credit to him (McInnes). I actually thought we could have funneled more pucks to the net and created more traffic and opportunities, but yeah, their goalie played well."
Sunday's game versus Kelowna will be the first of two straight home games for the T-birds against the Rockets. Kelowna stays in town for the rematch on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m.
T-BIRDS EXTRAS
It was the second time this season Seattle has been shutout by McInnes. He posted a 31-save shutout against the T-birds at Angel of the Winds Arena back on October 16th.
The game was Seattle's first at Seattle Center since December 30th, 2008, their final game at what was then KeyArena, before moving into the Accesso ShoWare Center in Kent in January of 2009. O'Dette said despite the loss the chance for his players to play in an NHL building was worth it. "The experience was great, I'm sure a lot of fun for our players. The result was disappointing but great atmosphere, great fan support for both teams. We would have like to send our fans home happier, but all in all, a good experience."
Western Hockey League Stories from February 27, 2022
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- Swift Current Rallies past ICE, 5-4 - Winnipeg Ice
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- Americans Struggle in Loss to Chiefs - Tri-City Americans
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