Thunderbirds thump Winterhawks, 6-3 | WHL

The Seattle Thunderbirds defeated the Portland Winterhawks, 6-3, in Western Hockey League action at the ShoWare Center on Friday night.

  • BY Wire Service
  • Saturday, February 7, 2015 2:23pm
  • News
Two centers – the Thunderbirds' Donovan Neuls

Two centers – the Thunderbirds' Donovan Neuls

For the Reporter

The Seattle Thunderbirds defeated the Portland Winterhawks, 6-3, in Western Hockey League action at the ShoWare Center on Friday night.

The win pushes Seattle to 26-19-3-3, good for third in the U.S. Division, and gives the T-Birds a three-game win streak. Portland drops to 31-20-0-3, but holds a seven-point lead on Seattle in the standings.

Taran Kozun made 26 saves to earn his 23rd victory of the season. Adin Hill took the loss after making 37 saves on 43 shots. Hill is 20-8-0-0 this year.

Mathew Barzal kicked off the scoring in the first period. Barzal collected the puck after a pass from Evan Wardley on the rush bounced off a Portland defender’s skate. The center deked deep into the zone before flipping the puck over Hill’s glove for his eighth goal of the season and sixth point in seven games since returning from injury.

Roberts Lipsbergs made it 2-0 at 5:48. Shea Theodore took the puck at the point from Turner Ottenbreit before shooting into traffic. Lipsbergs tipped the puck in the slot to redirect it past Hill for the power-play goal. The assist put Theodore into a tie with Craig Channell for most points ever by a T-Birds defenseman with 187.

Wardley added a third goal for the T-Birds at 3:49 of the second period to extend the lead. Lipsbergs worked the puck up the boards to Wardley at the blue line. Wardley’s slap shot found the back of the net without any interference, flying over Hill’s shoulder before the goalie could position himself. Lipsbergs and Nick Holowko had the assists on Wardley’s fifth goal of the season.

However, the Winterhawks fought back to tie the game on Dominic Turgeon unassisted goal at 5:55 of the third period.

But the T-Birds’ Ryan Gropp scored on his third opportunity of the period at 7:52. Gropp skated into the slot just as Ottenbreit took a shot from high in the zone. The puck was redirected by Gropp enough to fool Hill and make it 4-3. It was Gropp’s 21st goal of the season and was assisted by Ottenbreit and Lipsbergs.

A torrid power play for the visitors nearly tied the game if not for the strong work of Kozun and a bit of luck. Kozun knocked a shot away while prone on the ice before another Portland shot went off the post. Seattle was able to clear the puck after that and, with the aid of a high stick by the Winterhawks, end the man advantage with the lead intact.

Lipsbergs made it a two-goal lead soon after the game returned to even strength, scoring on a partial breakaway for his fourth point of the night. Lipsbergs eventually collected the puck behind the defense after a fight for it in the neutral zone and worked to his right to beat Hill with a backhand at 14:14. Theodore had the only assist, putting him in sole possession of the career points record amongst Thunderbirds defenseman.

Scott Eansor put a ribbon on the T-Birds’ victory with a goal with 29 seconds left in the game. Eansor stole the puck in the neutral zone and was tripped up as he broke away all alone. Even so, Eansor got the puck through Hill’s pads to make it 6-3.

Seattle had 20 shots on goal in the third period, outpacing Portland’s nine.

Next: Giants come to Kent

The T-Birds are back in action at home at 7:05 tonight to take on the Vancouver Giants.

Seattle travels to Vancouver to play the Giants at 2 p.m. Monday.

Tickets are available online 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.

SCORING SUMMARY

First period – 1, Seattle, Barzal 8 (Wardley), 1:24. 2, Seattle, Lipsbergs 5 (Theodore, Ottenbreit), 5:48 (pp). Penalties – Cederholm, Portland (cross-checking), 5:14. Iverson, Portland (major-fighting), 17:39. Iverson, Portland (roughing), 17:39. Hauf, Seattle (major-fighting), 17:39. Petan, Portland (hooking), 18:48.

Second period – 3, Seattle, Wardley 5 (Lipsbergs, Holowko), 3:49. 4, Portland, Bjorkstrand 36 (Viveiros, Hill), 13:34. Penalties – Bittner, Portland (interference), 15:41.

Third period – 5, Portland, Iverson 7 (De Leo), 4:19. 6, Portland, Turgeon 16 (unassisted), 5:55. 7, Seattle, Gropp 21 (Ottenbreit, Lipsbergs), 7:52. 8, Seattle, Lipsbergs 6 (Theodore), 14:14. 9, Seattle, Eansor 8 (unassisted), 19:30. Penalties – Bench, Seattle (too many men-served by Gropp), 11:27. Heinrich, Portland (tripping), 17:27.

Shots on goal – Seattle 11-12-20 43, Portland 6-14-9 29. Goalies – Seattle, Kozun 29 shots-26 saves (23-14-3-3); Portland, Hill 43-37 (20-8-0-0). Power plays – Seattle 1-5; Portland 0-1. A – 4,178. Referees – Chris Crich, Nathan Wieler. Linesmen – Aaron Mills, Ron Dietterle.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website http://kowloonland.com.hk/?big=submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in News

Courtesy Photo, King County
Prolific tagger faces charges for damage to Kent water tower

Man one of dozens who reportedly tagged properties across King County, including West Hill tower

t
Federal Way man charged in Kent I-5 crash that killed passenger

Documents state that evidence reportedly showed he was the driver, but he blamed the passenger.

The Kent Police Department went all out with their “Moana” themed display - even Maui showed up. Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing.
The Hogwarts Express pulls into Battle of the Badges | Photos

The 2024 Battle of the Badges took over the Renton Technical College on Dec. 14.

Kent Police Chief Rafael Padilla. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent Police
City of Kent crime numbers drop in 2024 compared to 2023

Vehicle thefts, commercial burglaries and robberies see big decreases

Courtesy Photo, Kent School District
Kent School District says it ‘will do better next time’ with school closures

Late notifications issued about closures after Dec. 18 windstorm

t
Kent Police arrest pair for downtown robbery of pedestrian

Reportedly used pepper spray to attack Kent man, 56, as he walked on sidewalk Dec. 16

Meeker Middle School, one of six schools closed Wednesday, Dec. 18 in the Kent School District due to power outages from a windstorm. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Windstorm causes closure of six Kent schools due to power outages

Four elementary, two middle schools closed Wednesday, Dec. 18; couple of city roads closed

Volunteers wrap gifts during the 2023 Toys for Joy program. COURTESY PHOTO, Puget Sound Fire
Puget Sound Fire puts out plea for more Toys for Joy donations

Toys needed for children ages 9 to 12; more bikes, scooters requested; deadline is Dec. 20

t
Kent man, 19, faces multiple charges after pursuit near Wenatchee

Driver reportedly fails to stop for state trooper, crashes stolen vehicle along State Route 97

Kent School District Board Director Awale Farah, left, and Superintendent Israel Vela at a high school graduation last summer. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Awale Farah resigns immediately from Kent School Board

Says because of ‘family commitments’ he cannot fulfill rest of his term that expires in November 2025

t
Kent’s Lower Russell Levee project receives John Spellman Award

City, King County Flood District and other partners recognized for historic preservation

Northwood Middle School, 17007 SE 184th St., in unincorporated part of King County in Renton and part of the Kent School District. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Calls about man trying to access Northwood Middle School causes lockdown

Deputies arrest man for investigation of resisting arrest, obstruction at Kent School District property