Thunderbirds Thump Giants – Seattle Thunderbirds
Kent, WA. –Reid Schaefer and Lucas Ciona each scored twice, and the Seattle Thunderbirds defeated the Vancouver Giants, 7-2, at the accesso ShoWare Center Saturday. It was the second time on the weekend the Thunderbirds defeated their opponent 7-2, having won 24-hours earlier against Prince George by the same score. The Thunderbirds and the Giants meet again tomorrow up in Langley BC Game time Sunday is 4:05 pm
It was the sixth straight game on home ice that the T-birds scored five or more goals as their depth continues to shine. Head coach Matt O’Dette likes the production. “Yeah, it’s nice to score goals. I think we’ve got guys who, at any moment, can break the game open which is a nice luxury to have.”
Seattle wasted little time getting on the scoreboard as Schaefer fired the first shot of the game into the back of the Vancouver net just 24-seconds into the first period. Schaefer, who would add a second goal later in the game, now has 19 on the season after not scoring a goal in the 23-game spring season last year.
“I think it’s just confidence on my part,” he said. “I’m playing the game with a lot more confidence. So, my linemates, they make it easy for me. But yeah, I’ve just been having that shot mentality this year and they’ve been going in.”
Seattle (25-11-4-1) scored twice more before the first period was over. Ciona got the first of his two on the night at 13:57 and Jordan Gustafson struck for his 17th of the season at 19:02. The T-birds would add on two more in the second period. Lukas Svejkovsky scored his third of the weekend at 9:13 then Ciona jammed home his second of the game while Seattle was on the power play at 16:06.
Ciona has eight points in his last six games, including six goals. O’Dette says he’s playing the right way. “He’s playing team hockey and you get rewarded when you do that and it’s nice to see him have that success.”
The teams traded goals in the third period. Vancouver got on the board on a delayed penalty against the T-birds. Justin Lies scored at 4:49. Schaefer answered back for Seattle at 9:43. The T-birds seventh goal of the night came courtesy of Sam Popowich at 11:40. The Giants got a shorthanded goal from Adam Hall with five minutes left.
Despite the win T-birds head coach Matt O’Dette wants his team to play a full sixty-minute game. “I thought our habits kind of waned when we had the lead. We’re trying to fix that.”
After Sunday’s game the T-birds are off until next weekend when they travel to Victoria for two games Friday and Saturday against the Victoria Royals. The Thunderbirds next home game is Tuesday, February 15th when they host the Tri-City Americans.
T-BIRDS EXTRAS
Scott Ratzlaff got the win in net with 27 saves. He has yet to lose a game in regulation in his young T-birds career (9-0-1-0). O’Dette said he was sharp all night. “He was there when we had our breakdowns and that’s what you need from your goaltender.”
Lukas Svejkovsky playing against his original WHL team, finished with three points (1g, 2a) and a +3 rating.
The T-birds have earned a point in seven straight home games (5-0-1-1) and have scored 43 goals in those seven games.
Full box score: WHL Network