Thunderbirds Silence Spokane
December 6, 2022 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Seattle Thunderbirds News Release
SPOKANE, Wash. - Scott Ratzlaff turned out 36 shots and the Seattle Thunderbirds recorded their second straight shutout, defeating the Spokane Chiefs, 3-0, Tuesday at the Spokane Arena. With the win Seattle improved to 18-4-1-0 on the season. Seattle begins a three-game weekend Friday in Everett against the Silvertips.
Thunderbirds head coach Matt O'Dette said his team was able to grind out the road win. "It was a grinding type game. You have to be able to win in different ways and that was the way we got it done tonight."
The shutout was the second on the season for Ratzlaff and the second of his career in Spokane. He posted a 7-0 shutout here last season. "It's a great rink. I enjoy playing here and the guys play well here as well. It was just one of those games where I felt confident coming into it."
Ratzlaff said he took it as a challenge after his teammate, fellow goalie Thomas Milic, posted a shutout in his last start. "There's definitely an interior battle between us. It's fun to work against him while working with him."
Seattle opened the scoring less than two and a half minutes into the first period on an unassisted goal from Bryce Pickford and it would stand as the game winner. "The (Spokane) d-man kind of pushed the puck up to the blue line. I walked it and shot short side. I thought it went off someone, but I guess it was a clear lane and went in."
The Thunderbirds doubled their lead with a Kyle Crnkovic goal at 4:31 of period two, assisted by Jordan Gustafson. Seattle then weathered a 16-shot effort from the Chiefs in the third period, led by Ratzlaff in net. O'Dette said his goalie was sharp all night. "That's why we have two good goalies, to hold down the fort and that was the case tonight."
The Thunderbirds finished off the scoring with a Nico Myatovic empty net goal with just 17-seconds left, assisted by Reid Schaefer.
After games in Everett and Portland Friday and Saturday, Seattle returns home Sunday to host the Vancouver Giants at the accesso ShoWare Center. Game time is 5:05 p.m.
T-BIRDS EXTRAS
Jeremy Hanzel was out of the lineup for the first time this season due to an illness.
Both Kyle Crnkovic and Reid Schaefer extended their points streaks to seven games. Jordan Gustafson has points in three straight games.
Seattle has given up just one goal in their last three games.
Four Thunderbirds players will miss Seattle's three games this weekend and potentially more. Nolan Allan, Kevin Korchinski, Thomas Milic and Reid Schaefer will be in Moncton, New Brunswick at Canada's World Juniors selection camp. O'Dette says that means the rest of the roster will have to step up in their absence.
"With those guys going to the Team Canada Camp, we'll be relying on some guys to play more minutes, looking for guys to seize the opportunity they're going to get over the next month."
Western Hockey League Stories from December 6, 2022
- Thunderbirds Silence Spokane - Seattle Thunderbirds
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- Tips Smother Cougars in Third Period, Take 5-2 Home Win - Everett Silvertips
- Strong Work Ethic Leads to Tigers' Victory Over Oil Kings - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Chiefs Scoreless for Second-Straight Game, Fall 3-0 to Thunderbirds Tuesday - Spokane Chiefs
- Second Period the Difference as Broncos Fall in Lethbridge - Swift Current Broncos
- Oil Kings Edged by Tigers - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Blades Win 5-4 in OT vs Wheat Kings - Saskatoon Blades
- Blades Avoid Wheat Kings' Comeback - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Tri-City Americans to Host 21st Annual Teddy Bear Toss Game this Saturday - Tri-City Americans
- Winterhawks Reveal New Red Alternate Uniforms - Portland Winterhawks
- Game Preview: Prince George Cougars at Everett Silvertips (Game #26) - Prince George Cougars
- Chiefs Host Seattle Tuesday Before Kicking off Eastern Conference Road Trip - Spokane Chiefs
- Wheat Kings Travel to Saskatoon for Battle with the Blades - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Game Day Preview December 6 at Edmonton - Medicine Hat Tigers
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