Thunderbirds Update
The Seattle Thunderbirds, fourth in the US division and struggling to score all year, have been mired in a win a couple, lose a couple mindset that threatens their playoff hopes.
The T-Birds are holding onto the last playoff spot in the Western Conference with games in hand on the Victoria Royals and Prince George Cougars but are also 3-6-1 in their last 10.
Last Week
After a Friday loss to the Prince George Cougars, a 1-0 affair that highlighted their frustrating inability to score, the Thunderbirds played host to the Victoria Royals on Saturday. The T-Birds jumped out to a 3-0 lead midway through the game before the Royals roared back in the third to tie the game and force a shootout.
Thankfully for Seattle’s pysche, they prevailed in the skills competition to secure the two points.
Tuesday they played host to the Vancouver Giants and turned in one of their best performances of the year in a 3-0 win. Calvin Pickard was magnificent making 37 saves.
Unfortunately for Seattle, they had to follow up those games with the league leading Tri-City Americans. Brendan Shinnimin led the charge on Friday with two goals and two assists in a 5-1 loss, while Tri-City captain Mason Wilgosh was the first star in a 5-3 win over the T-Birds on Saturday.
All five of Tri-City’s goals came in the third period.
This Week
The Thunderbirds are off until the 27th as the league shuts down for Christmas. They’ll return with a home-and-home against the last-place Everett Silvertips.
State Of The Vancouver Giants
News & Notes
The T-Birds recently announced their brand new app for Apple and Android devices.
The free app offers real-time updates on current scores and stats as well as social media events and other promotions.
The team also signed 17-year-old Edmonton-born centre Connor Honey. The pivot has one goal and six assists so far for the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL. He won the scoring title in the Albertan Midget Hockey League last year.
At the World Juniors
Marcel Noebels will join Team Germany for the Division 1 Group A competition. The left-winger will attempt to help Germany into a spot in the main tier next year.
Last year, with Germany competing with the big boys, Noebels and a goal and two assists in six games.
Meanwhile, Dave Sutter is once again at the selection camp for Team Switzerland, one year after being one of the final cuts.
The defenceman has three goals and eight assists for the Thunderbirds this year.
Next Game
It’ll be a bit of a wait but the Thunderbirds will resume play on December 27 with the previously mentioned home-and-home against the Everett Silvertips.
The team will host the Moose Jaw Warriors, second in the Eastern Conference on December 30 before ringing in the new year on the road against the Portland Winterhawks the next night.
About Richard Hodges
