Thunderbirds Blanked by Bears
February 5, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Seattle Thunderbirds News Release
EVERETT, Wash. -Despite outshooting the opposition 35-25 the Seattle Thunderbirds were shutout by the Everett Silvertips, 1-0, Saturday at the Angel of the Winds Arena. The loss drops Seattle back into second place in the Western Conference and leaves them with a 35-9-1-1 record. The Thunderbirds third game of the weekend is Sunday when they host the Spokane Chiefs at the accesso ShoWare Center. Game time is 6:05 p.m.
Everett goaltender Tyler Palmer earned the shutout, making 14 of his 35 saves in the third period. He outdueled Seattle's Scott Ratzlaff, who made 24 saves in absorbing the loss.
The only goal of the game came in the final two minutes of the first period. Everett's Beau Courtney scored when he pounced on a puck that caromed off the post in front of the Seattle net. Thunderbirds head coach Matt O'Dette said it was the result of a bad choice by Seattle at the other end of the ice.
"We didn't give up a lot in the game but the one we did give up was a poor decision on a pinch that led to a two-on-one rush going the other way. The margin for error is small. There were two minutes left in the first, we had a good grasp on the game. We were playing well at the time, but you never know what play can be the difference."
The Thunderbirds and Silvertips both finished 0-for-3 with the man advantage. Two of Seattle's power plays came after they had fallen behind, including one midway through the third period. "I thought the power play was a little more stagnant than it was last night (in Seattle's home win)," commented O'Dette, who said that was also a problem for his team at even strength. "A little too selective and maybe not enough traffic around the net. That's how you come away empty handed."
Seattle once again played with three key players unavailable as Lucas Ciona, Jordan Gustafson and Colton Dach are all dealing with upper body injuries. O'Dette said that just means other players have to step up. "You still have to find ways to get the job done. This is what you go through during the season. Guys hurt, guys out of the lineup for different reasons. A bit of a hiccup but you have to get back on the horse tomorrow."
After their home game Sunday versus Spokane, the Thunderbirds are off until next Friday when they once again take to the home ice of the accesso ShoWare Center. They will host the Red Deer Rebels at 7:05 p.m.
T-BIRDS EXTRAS
This was Seattle's first loss to Everett this season. The Thunderbirds had won the previous seven meetings. The two teams meet twice more, both games will be in March.
Kyle Crnkovic needs just one more point to reach 275 points for his WHL career.
Portland regained the top spot in the conference with a 4-1 win over the Tri-City Americans. Seattle still holds two games in hand.
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