Thunderbirds Strike Oil Kings
October 15, 2022 – Western Hockey League (WHL) – Seattle Thunderbirds News Release
KENT, Wash. -The Seattle Thunderbirds scored four times with the man advantage and overpowered the Edmonton Oil Kings, 7-0, Friday at the accesso ShoWare Center. Scott Ratzlaff earned the shutout in net with a 19-save performance. The win keeps Seattle unbeaten through their first six games, the best start in franchise history. The Thunderbirds finish their two-game weekend with a trip to Everett Saturday to face the Silvertips.
In a rematch of last spring’s championship series, won by Edmonton, Seattle head coach Matt O’Dette was satisfied with his team’s performance. “It was probably the best habit game we’ve had as of yet. They (Edmonton) have a hungry, hardworking young team with a lot of those guys having championship experience.” Still, O’Dette said the focus was on his team, not the opposition. “We have to play to our identity and our habits. We wanted to make sure we took a step in the right direction in terms of those habits.”
The Thunderbirds grabbed the lead with the only goal of the first period, a power play goal as Lucas Ciona redirected a shot from Kyle Crnkovic at 16:39. Kevin Korchinski had the second assist.
Seattle’s lead doubled with a shorthanded goal from Jared Davidson at 12:37 of period two, assisted by Jeremy Hanzel.
The Thunderbirds broke away from the Oil Kings with a five-goal third period. Reid Schaefer potted his team leading seventh of the season at 6:29 with Seattle skating 5-on-4. Crnkovic made it 4-0 with Seattle’s second shorthanded goal of the night after Davidson sprung him free on a breakaway. The goal came just a couple of minutes after Ratzlaff stymied Edmonton’s Ben Wright, who had been awarded a penalty shot.
O’Dette said while his goaltender wasn’t busy, he was focused. “He was dialed in. You can see the confidence that he has and that gives our team confidence. There weren’t many breakdowns but when there were he was there to make big saves.”
The only even strength goal of the night came at the 12:33 mark, just after Seattle killed another penalty. Nico Myatovic scored his third, just one less than he had all last season. But Myatovic credits the experienced gained a season ago for his early success. “I think it helps a ton. Getting that experience last year and building towards this year, it’s helped a lot.”
Myatovic is a key component of the Thunderbirds penalty kill which went 4-of-4, while scoring two shorthanded goals. “That’s something we take pride in. It hasn’t always been perfect but we’re building here, and I think we’re on the right foot. We just have to keep it going.”
Seattle closed out the scoring with two more power play goals from a couple of first year players. Brayden Dube struck for his second of the season at 18:28 and Tij Iginla picked up his first Western Hockey League goal at 18:59.
Seattle’s next home game is Saturday, October 22nd against the Spokane Chiefs. Game time is 6:05 p.m.
T-BIRD EXTRAS
Sam Popowich played in his 100th WHL game in win over Edmonton and had an assist on Seattle’s seventh goal. Jared Davidson will play in his 200th WHL game Saturday in Everett.
With a goal and an assist, Crnkovic is one point shy of 230 for his WHL career.
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