WHL Seattle Thunderbirds

Thunderbirds shut out Bruins

Published on February 14, 2007 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Seattle Thunderbirds News Release


CHILLIWACK, BC February 14, 2007 - Goalies win hockey games. Wednesday night in Chilliwack, Seattle Thunderbirds goalie Derek Yeomans made 32 saves, several of the spectacular variety, to help lead the T-Birds to a 4-0 shutout victory over the Chilliwack Bruins.

The T-Birds are now 26-19-2-11 and in fourth place in the US Division, three points behind the Spokane Chiefs and seven points behind the second place Tri- City Americans.

The T-Birds face the Chiefs on Friday at KeyArena at 7:35 p.m. Yeomans made 13 saves in the first period, 11 in the second period and eight in the third period. His record improves to 20-12-2-9 with three shutouts.

Seattle took a 1-0 lead at 18:38 of the first period on a power-play goal by Andre Herman. The Bruins were able to clear the puck out of their zone and down the ice. Yeomans got the puck before it crossed the goal line. He made a pass up the ice to Herman just in front of the Chilliwack blue line on the left side of the ice. Herman took the puck into the Bruins zone and with a defender in front of him unleashed a slap shot that beat Bruins goalie Matt Esposito high on the glove side. It was Herman's 12th goal of the year.

Chilliwack (17-37-3-2) outshot Seattle 13-7 in the first period.

Thomas Hickey gave the T-Birds a 2-0 lead when he went coast-to-coast and scored an unassisted goal at 12:38 of the second period. Hickey stole the puck in the Seattle zone from a Bruins forward. He streaked up the right side on a 3-on-1 with Aaron Gagnon on his left and Bud Holloway trialing the play. Hickey came in on Esposito and beat him high on the glove side for his fourth goal of the year.

The Bruins led 24-15 in shots after two periods by outshooting Seattle 11-8 in the second period.

The T-Birds took a 3-0 lead at 8:58 of the third period on a goal by Lindsay Nielsen. Bretton Stamler fed the puck to Herman at center ice. Herman carried the puck into the right corner of the Bruins zone. He then made a centering pass to Nielsen all alone in the slot. Nielsen made Esposito commit, then put the puck around his left pad. It was Nielsen's fourth goal of the year.

Herman gave the T-Birds a 4-0 lead when he scored on a breakaway at 15:3 of the third. Jeremy Boyer found Herman all alone just in front of the Bruins blue line. Herman came in on Esposito, made the goalie commit and then lifted the puck over the goalie for his second of the night. Josh Schappert had the other assist on the goal.

Seattle outshot Chilliwack 8-7 in the third period but Chilliwack finished with a 32-24 advantage in shots.

Esposito stopped 20 of 24 shots and his record is now 8-12-1-1.

The T-Birds return to KeyArena for two games over the weekend. They play the Chiefs on Friday at 7:35 p.m. and the Kelowna Rockets on Saturday at 7:05 p.m.

Thunderbird tickets are currently on sale for all 2006- 07 regular season home games. Tickets are priced at $20, $16 & $12. Tickets may be purchased by calling 206-628-0888 or 206-448-PUCK (7825) or online at www.seattlethunderbirds.com. Tickets may also be purchased at all TicketMaster Outlets, the KeyArena West Box Office Monday - Saturday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM and The Hockey Store located at 14326 124th Ave NE in Kirkland. For additional ticket information on Season Tickets and Group Rates please call 206-448-PUCK.

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Western Hockey League Stories from February 14, 2007


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