T-Birds Zero in on Wild
Published on September 20, 2026 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Seattle Thunderbirds News Release
WENATCHEE, Wash. - Grayson Malinoski earned his first WHL shutout and the Seattle Thunderbirds won their season opener over the Wenatchee Wild, 1-0, in overtime at the Town Toyota Center. Luke Puchner, in his T-Birds debut, scored the game winner. The Thunderbirds now head back across the mountains for their home opener next Saturday at the accesso ShoWare Center. They will host the Prince George Cougars at 6:05 p.m.
"It's been a long time coming," remarked Malinoski of his 31-save shutout performance. "I've been close a lot. It feels great honestly and first game of the year. I think this team is special and we can do something here."
In a back and forth game the T-Birds came out strong, outshooting the Wild 16-4 in the opening period. "If we could bottle up the first period that's what we should look like," said head coach Matt O'Dette. Wenatchee turned the tables in period two with a 16-5 shot advantage, fueled mainly be three Seattle penalties. "We got a little loose with the puck and it led to us taking some penalties," explained O'Dette.
O'Dette called the third period a battle of attrition. With the game scoreless after sixty minutes, it was off to 3-on-3 overtime. With one minute left on the clock Puchner provided the difference, assisted by Grayson Tash and Noah Kosick. "Kos made a great play to poke the puck away from their guy," said Puchner as he described the winning goal. "Then Tasher with an unreal pass right on my tape. I just kind of took off. I had a clear lane and knew I was going high glove and that's where I put it."
The Thunderbirds played the game with three of their top six defensemen unavailable due to NHL training camp or injury. "We have a lot of depth," said O'Dette. "With those guys out, we really needed the others to step up and they did that."
T-BIRDS EXTRAS
The Thunderbirds are 4-0-0-1 in their last five season openers and 2-0 in season openers in Wenatchee.
Earlier in the day the Philadelphia Flyers re-assigned goalie Marek Sklenicka to Seattle. That leaves just two T-Birds still away at NHL camps; center Matthew Gard (PHI) and defenseman Reko Alanko (UTA).
With Alanko away and injuries to Tai Riley and Jonas Kemps the T-Birds recalled affiliated player, defenseman Jackson Beggs, a 2025 4th round draft pick. Beggs made his WHL debut against the Wild.
Western Hockey League Stories from September 20, 2026
- Rockets Sign Goaltender Logan German to WHL Scholarship & Development Agreement - Kelowna Rockets
- Oil Kings Welcome Hitmen to Rogers Place for Home Opener - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Cozens Hat Trick Leads Tigers to Home Opener Win - Medicine Hat Tigers
- T-Birds Zero in on Wild - Seattle Thunderbirds
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