WHL Seattle Thunderbirds

T-Birds Unwrap Silvertips

Published on December 17, 2022 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Seattle Thunderbirds News Release


EVERETT, Wash. -Jared Davidson had a four-assist game, and the Seattle Thunderbirds defeated the Everett Silvertips, 5-1, Saturday at Angel of the Winds Arena. With the road win, the Thunderbirds go into the Christmas break with a 23-4-1-1 record. They return to action on December 27th, when they host the Spokane Chiefs at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle in the second annual Battle of the Sound.

Davidson said memories of last year's losses to Everett going into the holiday break were a motivating factor. "We remembered what happened last year before the break (5-2 and 4-1 losses). It didn't set well with us over last Christmas. It was nice to get this one."

Head coach Matt O'Dette agreed. "The guys really came out with a purpose and carried that throughout the rest of the game. We didn't play well in our games going into the break last year and wanted to make it right this year."

For the second straight game Seattle scored on their first shot of the game, a blast off the stick of Bryce Pickford at 1:59 of the first period. Simon Lovsin and Ashton McNelly picked up the assists. The goal was Pickford's fifth of the season and fourth in his last seven games. "Lovy got it up into the slot and Nelly bumped it back to me and I saw an open lane on the glove side and that's where I shot it, a little wrister and it went in."

The Thunderbirds doubled their lead when Davidson found Jeremy Hanzel on the doorstep with a pass for an easy tap in. The goal, scored while the teams skated four aside, stood as the game winner. Nico Myatovic earned the second assist.

Seattle doubled their lead with a pair of goals early in period two. Forty-five seconds into the period Kyle Crnkovic scored his team leading 17th, with Davidson and Gracyn Sawchyn assisting. That same trio combined on the Thunderbirds fourth goal as well. Sawchyn put back a rebound of his own shot at the 3:14 mark after taking a pass from Crnkovic, who got the puck from Davidson.

Everett got on the board at 6:19 of the third period on a Jackson Berezowski power play goal. Seattle answered quickly when Lucas Ciona scored 39-seconds later. Meanwhile, Scott Ratzlaff earned his 11th win in goal with a 34 save effort. In two wins on the weekend, he stopped 57 of the 59 shots he faced. "I think the team really came together this weekend. I think we showed that if we just keep things simple, work hard, get pucks in and be efficient, we can make it hard for teams."

O'Dette's message to his players after the game was to enjoy the holidays with their family but come back ready to go. "Make sure we're safe, recharge the batteries and be ready for a good second half. We get back into it really quick once the guys get back."

When Seattle returns to play on the 27th, it will start a stretch of four games in five days. The Thunderbirds and Chiefs play again on the 28th of December in Spokane. Seattle then travels to Kelowna on the 30th, returning home New Year's Eve to host Kelowna at the accesso ShoWare Center.

T-BIRDS EXTRAS

Crnkovic's first period goal stretched his point streak to a season best 13-games. Davidson surpassed the 165-point mark with his four assists. He now has 167 points in his Thunderbirds career.

Gracyn Sawchyn has ten points in his last six games (2g, 8a).

Seattle leads the season series versus Everett, 5-0.

Five of Lucas Ciona's eleven goals this season have come on the road against Everett.

Check out the Seattle Thunderbirds Statistics

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Western Hockey League Stories from December 17, 2022


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