Thunderbirds weather Hurriances in overtime | WHL

For the Reporter

The Seattle Thunderbirds defeated the Lethbridge Hurricanes 4-3 in overtime Friday night.

The win pushed Seattle’s record to 30-21-3-4 and helped the Thunderbirds extend their third-place lead over the Spokane Chiefs in the U.S. Division to nine points. Lethbridge drops to 18-33-4-3.

The T-Birds host the Everett Silvertips at 6:05 p.m. today, following the annual Hockey Challenge to benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Western Washington and Alaska.

Jerret Smith won the game one minute into overtime while in the midst of a 4-on-3 power play. Smith was alone in front of the net after receiving a pass from a scrum on the sideboards. Smith slowly moved in and shot high over Lethbridge goalie Stuart Skinner’s shoulder to end the game.

Taran Kozun earned the win after stopping 20 of 23 shots. Kozun’s improves to 27-15-3-3 this year. Skinner started in goal for Lethbridge and took the loss despite topping 34 of 38. Skinner is now 12-15-1-3.

Seattle took the first penalty of the game at 11:14. Johnny Wesley scored on a rebound chance seconds into that power play to make it 1-0.

Nick Holowko cleaned up a Smith shot to tie the game back up after over two minutes straight in the offensive zone by the T-Birds.

Shots were 15-11 Seattle in the first period. Faceoffs were 16-13 Seattle.

Kord Pankewicz gave the lead back to Lethbridge early in the second period.

Shea Theodore scored on the power play at 6:38 to tie the game once again. Skinner saved a goal by poke-checking the puck away after Smith fed a centering pass to the front of the net but the T-Birds were able to retain possession. Corey Millette and Mathew Barzal worked the puck back to the top of the zone to Theodore, who fired from near the blue line. The puck bounced off the crossbar and hit off Skinner’s back to redirect into the net.

Seattle led in shots in the second period 13-4. Faceoffs were tied with each team winning six.

In the third period, Jamal Watson scored while the Hurricanes were shorthanded, beating the T-Birds defense back for a breakaway chance. Kozun skated out of the crease and dived to poke the puck away from Watson. The puck bounced straight up and unfortunately came down at the goal line, where it trickled across.

Millette scored at 4:30, just 24 seconds after the Hurricanes’ goal, to make it 3-3. Barzal brought the puck up the boards and set up behind the net. Barzal’s pass to the front landed perfectly on Millette’s stick. Millette took his time, forcing Skinner to go prone before flipping it in for the power-play goal. Theodore had the secondary assist on Millette’s 16th goal of the season.

Seattle avoided disaster during a Lethbridge power play late in the third. Evan Wardley tried to clear the puck from behind the net, only to have it bounce off of a T-Bird skating across the crease. Kozun reacted in time to cover it up. A dustup followed, with the end result being a five-minute power play for the T-Birds.

Shots in the third period were 9-8 Seattle. Faceoffs were 12-7 Lethbridge.

Today

The T-Birds play Saturday against the Everett Silvertips at the ShoWare Center at 6:05 p.m. That game will be followed by the T-Birds’ Celebrity Game.

Seattle hosts the Calgary Hitmen at 7:05 p.m. Tuesday.

SCORING SUMMARY

First period – 1, Lethbridge, Wesley 4 (Watson, Winther), 11:40 (pp). 2, Seattle, Holowko 4 (Smith, Barzal), 16:22. Penalties – Theodore, Seattle (hooking), 11:14. Walters, Lethbridge (holding), 17:32.

Second period – 3, Lethbridge, Pankewicz 7 (Watson, Winther), 2:05. 4, Seattle, Theodore 9 (Barzal, Millette), 6:38 (pp). Penalties – Allan, Lethbridge (roughing), 5:43. Watson, Lethbridge (goaltender interference), 8:03. Eansor, Seattle (hooking), 12:30.

Third period – 5, Lethbridge, Watson 22 (Pankewicz), 4:06 (sh). 6, Seattle, Millette 16 (Barzal, Theodore), 4:30 (pp). Penalties – Reagan, Lethbridge (tripping), 3:57. Bear, Seattle (slashing), 15:54. Winther, Lethbridge (major-spearing, game misconduct), 16:54. Jensen, Lethbridge (double minor-roughing), 16:54. Wardley, Seattle (double minor-roughing), 16:54.

Overtime – 7, Seattle, Smith 8 (Millette, Barzal), :58 (pp). Penalties – No penalties.

Shots on goal – Seattle 15-13-9-1 38, Lethbridge 11-4-8-0 23. Goalies – Seattle, Kozun 23 shots-20 saves (27-15-3-3); Lethbridge, Skinner 38-34 (12-15-1-3). Power plays – Seattle 3-5; Lethbridge 1-3 A – 3,540. Referees – Sean Raphael, Mike Campbell. Linesmen – Michael Bean, Ron Dietterle.