T-Birds Dose Out Win Over Medicine Hat
October 12, 2022 – Western Hockey League (WHL) – Seattle Thunderbirds News Release
KENT, Wash. -Reid Schaefer registered a hat trick, and the Seattle Thunderbirds ran their record to start the season to 5-0 with a, 5-2, win over the Medicine Hat Tigers Tuesday at the accesso ShoWare Center. The Thunderbirds return to the ice Friday when they host the Edmonton Oil Kings at 7:05 p.m. It will be the first meeting between the two teams since last spring’s WHL Championship Series, won by Edmonton in six games.
Tuesday’s win marks the first time in franchise history that the Thunderbirds have won their first give games. While they are happy with the wins, Seattle head coach Matt O’Dette knows they haven’t hit their stride yet. “There’s a lot of good things happening for our team. We have high expectations, but we know it takes time. You can’t just pick up where you left off (last season). It takes time to reestablish your identity and we’re in that process right now, but there are so many positives.”
For the fourth time in four games Seattle opened the scoring when Kyle Crnkovic converted on the power play at 4:17 of the first period. The Thunderbirds went back on the power play shortly after the goal but surrendered a shorthanded breakaway score to the Tigers Hunter St. Martin at 5:54.
The Thunderbirds regained the lead at 8:46 of the second period. Just as another Seattle power play was expiring, Schaefer lifted a backhand shot that found the back of the net. “I just got the puck on the point and made a move. I saw two guys in front and shot off my backhand short side.”
Schaefer’s second goal at 12:18 of the third period came as Seattle was killing off a penalty. He says he can score in all situations because he has the trust of the coaches. “It’s nice to be put in those situations and have their trust. When I go out there, I just must do my job.”
Still on the power play, Medicine Hat’s Reid Andresen scored just ten seconds later to get his team back to within a goal at 3-2. But it took Seattle only 23-second to answer as Gabe Ludwig smacked home a rebound of a Gracyn Sawchyn shot. “Kind of a lucky bounce there,” commented Ludwig on his second goal of the season. “Sawch made a really nice play and I happened to be there and got the rebound.”
O’Dette says Ludwig got rewarded for his strong play in the game. “He’s playing really well for us. It’s his tenacity, his work ethic, his speed. That’s what’s getting him on the ice and creating the opportunities for himself. He’s been a great spark for us.”
The Tigers pulled the goalie in the final two minutes for the extra attacker but Schaefer completed his hat trick, scoring into the empty net with just two seconds remaining.
O’Dette said he knew his team was in for a battle against Medicine Hat after the Tigers started their swing through the U.S. Division with a win in Everett and an overtime loss in Portland. “They play extremely hard. To play the way they did versus Everett and Portland, those are not easy tasks, so we knew going in it would be an extremely difficult game and it was.”
T-BIRD EXTRAS
Crnkovic played in his 215th WHL game against Medicine Hat. His first period goal was his ninth career goal against the Tigers.
This was Medicine Hat’s first appearance at the accesso ShoWare Center since January 9th, 2019.
Seattle opens the season with six straight games versus non-divisional opponents. They face their first U.S. Division opponent Saturday when they travel up to Everett.
Boxscore: WHL Network
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