T-Birds Suffer First Home Loss
November 6, 2022 – Western Hockey League (WHL) – Seattle Thunderbirds News Release
KENT, Wash. -In a game that ended up a battle of special teams, the Seattle Thunderbirds surrendered four power play goals to the Portland Winterhawks and fell, 5-3, Saturday at the accesso ShoWare Center. Meanwhile, the Thunderbirds were just 1-for-11 with the man advantage. With the loss Seattle has dropped back-to-back games for the first time this season. The Thunderbirds look to get back on the winning track when they travel to Kamloops on Wednesday to face the Blazers.
The game started off well for Seattle (10-3-0-0) when Lucas Ciona scored his eighth of the season at 12:24 of the first period. Instead of adding to their lead on an ensuing power play, the Thunderbirds surrendered a shorthanded goal two minutes later.
Seattle ran into penalty trouble in the second period and the Winterhawks scored four times with the man advantage. “We needed more from our special teams, obviously,” said head coach Matt O’Dette. “They are opportunities to score and momentum builders. I thought with some of our execution and some of our focus, we weren’t sharp.” He said there were just too many special teams chances. We prefer to keep it 5-on-5 but we’ve got to learn from it.”
The Thunderbirds countered with an even strength goal from Nico Myatovic but trailed 5-2 heading into the third.
The Thunderbirds had plenty of opportunity to get back in the game in the final period as they were awarded five power plays. They could only convert on one though, a 5-on-3 goal from Kevin Korchinski.
“It wasn’t a good weekend for us,” said O’Dette, adding “It’s not going to be smooth sailing the whole season. You’ve got to go through some adversity to build your group. It was no different last year and it was no different in 2016 and 2017.”
O’Dette did believe Seattle had a strong third period, outshooting Portland 15-7 and carrying much of the play. He said that is something they can build off going into a week with three games on the schedule. “That was nice to see. I’m not surprised though. We’ve got a lot of character. It changed momentum a little bit and gave us a chance to push. We’re definitely not a team that is going to lay down and it was nice that we showed that.”
T-BIRDS EXTRAS
The loss was the first this season for Seattle on home ice. They are now 5-1-0-0 at the accesso ShoWare Center. There next home game is Saturday against Calgary.
Seattle’s leading scorer, Jared Davidson, missed his second straight game with an upper body injury and is listed as day to day.
Coster Dunn who was injured at the end of Friday’s game in Portland, was also held out of the lineup
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