The Seattle Thunderbirds defeated the Spokane Chiefs 4-1 to clinch the Western Hockey League’s U.S. Division title on Tuesday night in front of 5,707 at the ShoWare Center.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The T-Birds (43-23-3-0), who extended their winning streak to 11 games, have won 15 of their last 16 games. Seattle also has a 10-game winning streak at home.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The T-Birds have three games remaining in the regular season before opening the playoffs at home March 25 and 26. They play the Tri-City Americans in Kennewick at 7:05 p.m. Friday. The Portland Winterhawks visit the ShoWare Center for a 7:05 p.m. game Saturday. The T-Birds travel to Portland to play the Winterhawks at 5 p.m. Sunday.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Scott Eansor had a goal and two assists in Tuesday’s win.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Seattle goalie Landon Bow made 18 saves on 19 shots to improve to 24-2-4-0.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Seattle took a 1-0 lead on an Eansor goal at 5:11 of the first period.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The T-Birds took a 2-0 lead at 4:47 of the second period on Jared Hauf’s second goal of the season.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Seattle made it 3-0 on Mathew Barzal’s penalty shot at 17:22 of the second. It was Barzal’s 26th goal of the season.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Turner Ottenbreit put the T-Birds in front 4-0 at 6:40 of the third period.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Spokane (31-29-5-4) got on the board when Matt Sozanski scored at 12:59 of the third.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The T-Birds outshot the Chiefs 10-7 in the third period and 35-19 in the game.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Petersen made 31 saves on 35 shots and his record is now 10-6-1-0.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n