THUNDERBIRDS

T-Birds notebook: Split in Tri-City and the World Cup effect

Sep 13, 2016, 12:09 PM | Updated: 12:34 pm

Keegan Kolesar is expected to miss six weeks following hernia surgery (Thunderbirds photo)...

Keegan Kolesar is expected to miss six weeks following hernia surgery (Thunderbirds photo)

(Thunderbirds photo)

The recent change in weather can mean only one thing: The WHL regular season is getting closer.

After splitting a pair of preseason games this past weekend, the Thunderbirds have two more exhibition games left before they drop the puck for real on Sept. 24 in Portland.

Pigulski: Thunderbirds’ Jared Pelechaty retires from hockey

The T-Birds edged the Kootenay Ice 4-3 in a shootout on Friday afternoon in Kennewick. Seattle forced overtime by tying the game late in the third period on a power-play goal by Mathew Wedman. In the shootout, Nick Holowko was the only shooter to convert, giving Seattle the win. Goalie Ryan Gilchrist played the first half of the game, allowing one goal on 12 shots. He gave way to Carl Stankowski, who allowed two goals but shut out the Ice in overtime and during the shootout.

Seattle didn’t fare as well on Saturday against the host Tri-City Americans. The T-Birds allowed three power-play goals and dropped a 4-2 decision. Ethan Bear and Alexander True both found the net for the T-Birds in the loss.

Here’s what else is new with the T-Birds:

World Cup of Hockey effect

All eyes will be on the newly created World Cup of Hockey this weekend as NHL players will represent their respective countries in a made-for-TV event. The tournament will have a trickle-down effect on the WHL and the T-Birds.

The preliminary round of the two-week tournament starts Sept. 20 and since NHL players are participating, NHL training camps have been moved back. With training camp pushed back, the prospect camps are also starting later than normal. That means Seattle will be without many of its top players this weekend and most likely at the start of the regular season.

Seattle will continue to be without Mathew Barzal this weekend as he will attempt to make the New York Islanders’ roster. But they will also miss Keegan Kolesar, who will be at the Columbus Blue Jackets’ camp; Ethan Bear, with the Edmonton Oilers; Scott Eansor, with the Montreal Canadiens; and Turner Ottenbreit, who will be with the New York Rangers. How long all of these guys are with the pro camps remains to be seen but don’t be surprised if they miss the first two or three regular-season games.

The T-Birds aren’t the only team affected by this as many WHL clubs will be short-handed to start the season. Because of that, we may see some skewed results early on.

Sami back on the ice

Sami Moilanen, Seattle’s new import, had looked good during training camp but suffered an injury in the team’s first preseason game against Everett over Labor Day weekend. The team didn’t think the injury was serious and he was back in action in Kennewick. That’s good news for the T-Birds as they will need all the offense they can muster while they have guys away at NHL camps. Moilanen chipped in for an assist in Saturday’s loss to Tri-City.

Rookie D-men get a look

With the unfortunate early retirement of defenseman Jared Pelechaty last week, Seattle will start the season with some green players in the sixth and seventh slots on the back end.

Reese Harsch and Tyson Terretta are the two players who seem to be slotted in those roles. They are the only remaining rookies on the roster. With Bear and Ottenbreit gone this weekend, they will be moved up in the rotation and will need to play well. Terretta got on the scoreboard against Kootenay with a first-period goal and Harsch has looked solid to start the preseason as well.

The T-Birds could also be in the market for a more veteran player, but it won’t be former Vancouver Giant defenseman Brennan Menell. The Minnesota native had asked the Giants for a trade and as a puck-moving 19-year-old might have been a good fit in Seattle. That won’t be happening, however, as the Giants struck a deal to send Menell to the Lethbridge Hurricanes on Monday.

Thunderbirds

Thunderbirds GM Bil La Forge has some moves to make this offseason. (Brian Liesse/T-Birds photo)...

Andy Eide

Thunderbirds GM Bil La Forge dishes on the upcoming offseason

Thunderbirds general manager Bil La Forge will make some moves this summer to improve his club. Will they be big ones?

3 years ago

Seattle’s Keltie Jeri-Leon celebrates his final WHL goal Sunday against Spokane. (Brian Liess...

Andy Eide

Thunderbirds end strange and hard season on a high note with dominating win over Spokane

The Seattle Thunderbirds dealt with a lot of adversity this season but end on a high note.

3 years ago

Keltie Jeri-Leon plays his final WHL game for the Thunderbirds Sunday night. (Brian Liesse)...

Andy Eide

Keltie Jeri-Leon set to play his final WHL game as Thunderbirds face Spokane Sunday

After five seasons, Seattle's lone over-aged player, Keltie Jeri-Leon will play his final junior game Sunday night.

3 years ago

Seattle rookie Scott Ratzlaff won his first WHL game in his first start. (Judy Simpson/TC Americans...

Andy Eide

Scott Ratzlaff earns first WHL win as Thunderbirds beat Tri-City

Behind a rookie goalie, the Thunderbirds kicked off the season's final weekend with a 5-2 win in Kennewick against the Tri-City Americans.

3 years ago

The Seattle Thunderbirds celebrate after snapping a six-game losing streak Sunday night. (Brian Lie...

Andy Eide

Thunderbirds enjoy winning again after snapping six-game losing streak

The Seattle Thunderbirds have been scuffling but battled against a good Portland Winterhawks club to snap a six-game losing streak.

3 years ago

Thunderbirds forward Reid Schaefer fights for position Sunday in Portland. (Megan Connelly/Winterha...

Andy Eide

Dealing with adversity, young Thunderbirds drop pair of games in Portland

Injuries and penalties have thrown a ton of adversity at the young Thunderbirds which showed up in a pair of losses at Portland this weekend.

3 years ago

T-Birds notebook: Split in Tri-City and the World Cup effect