Thunderbirds stop Americans, 3-1 | WHL

For the Reporter

The Seattle Thunderbirds defeated the Tri-City Americans 3-1 in Western Hockey League play Friday night at the ShoWare Center.

The T-Birds improved to 12-12-2-2 on the season, putting them two points behind the Americans in the U.S. Division standings. Tri-City falls to 15-13-0-0.

Taran Kozun was in goal for Seattle and made 17 saves on 18 shots. Kozun is 11-8-2-2 on the season. Eric Comrie was the starter for the Americans. Comrie made 22 saves on 25 shots, taking the loss. The 19-year-old is 13-10-0-0.

Ethan Bear extended his point streak to four games by getting the T-Birds on the board at 4:12 of the first period with a five-on-three power-play goal. Ryan Gropp passed the puck form the bottom of the right circle to Shea Theodore at the right point. Theodore held the puck then crossed it to Bear. Bear one-timed Theodore’s pass beating Tri-City goalie Comrie over the blocker. Bear has three goals and an assist in the last four games.

Gropp took advantage of a Tri-City turnover in the left circle to give the T-Birds a 2-0 lead at 10:15 of the first. A Tri-City defenseman lost control of puck along the goal line to Comrie’s right. The puck dribbled into the bottom of the left circle right to Gropp. Gropp wired the puck over Comrie’s right shoulder from a sharp angle for his team leading 13th goal of the season.

Seattle outshot Tri-City 10-6 in the first period.

Seattle jumped on the Americans 47 seconds into the second period to take a 3-0 lead. Alexander True forced a turnover to Comrie’s left. Justin Hickman got the puck and sent it to Jerret Smith inside the blue line at center ice. Smith waited then put a slap shot on goal with True screening Comrie. Smith’s shot beat Comrie on the blocker side.

The T-Birds kept the pressure on the Americans after their third goal. Keegan Kolesar and Lane Pederson both hit the right post with a shot.

Jordan Topping scored at 14:49 of the second to Tri-City on the board. Taylor Vickerman had the only assist.

The T-Birds outshot the Americans 10-5 in the second period and led 20-11 in shots after two periods.

Seattle’s Kozun made a very good save on Vladislav Lukin 1:52 into the third period to keep the T-Birds lead at two goals. Kozun went left-to-right to deny Lukin on a two-on-one break for Tri-City.

Tri-City outshot Seattle 7-5 in the third period, bringing the game totals to 25-18 Seattle.

The T-Birds host the Medicine Hat Tigers at 7:05 p.m. Saturday. They travel to Spokane to face the Chiefs at 5:05 p.m. Sunday.

Tickets

Single-game tickets are available online at the T-Birds website and at the ShoWare Center box office. The ShoWare Center Box Office is open Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday game days at 10 a.m. and Sunday game days at noon.

Season tickets can be purchased by calling the T-Birds office at 253-239-7825.

SCORING SUMMARY

First period – 1, Seattle, Bear 6 (Theodore, Gropp), 4:12 (pp). 2, Seattle, Gropp 13, 10:15. Penalties – Hamonic, Tri (interference), 2:46. Purtill, Tri (tripping), 3:59.

Second period – 3, Seattle, Smith 2 (Hickman, True), :47. 4, Tri-City, Topping 1 (Vickerman), 14:49. Penalties – Smith, Sea (tripping), 18:58.

Third period – No scoring. Penalties – Volcan, Sea (interference), 5:53. Wardley, Sea (tripping), 14:55.

Shots on goal – Seattle 10-10-5 25, Tri-City 6-5-7 18. Goalies – Seattle, Kozun 18 shots-17 saves (11-8-2-2); Tri-City, Comrie 25-22 (13-10-0-0). Power plays – Seattle 1-2; Tri-City 0-3. A – 2,655. Referees – Adam Griffiths, Colin Watt. Linesmen – Al Creigh, Aaron Mills.