Thunderbirds finish long weekend with key win over Blazers

KENT – With their captain out of the lineup, the Seattle Thunderbirds needed a full team effort Sunday night against the Kamloops Blazers at the accesso ShoWare Center.

The Thunderbirds got just that as four different players recorded multiple point games in a 5-2 win that allowed Seattle to leap frog over the Blazers into the last playoff spot in the Western Conference standings. Both teams were playing their third game in as many nights, but the Thunderbirds were able to fight off the fatigue to earn two big points.

“Great effort by the guys,” Seattle head coach Matt O’Dette said. “We realized the stakes that were up for grabs. I think guys stepped up, obviously with the absence of (Nolan Volcan), guys stepped up and got the job done.”

There were many offensive stars for the Thunderbirds.

Three players had three points including Matthew Wedman’s two goals and an assist, Sean Richards goal and two assists, and Henrik Rybinski’s three assists. Noah Philp added a goal and an assist while goalie Roddy Ross kicked out 24 Kamloops shots for his fifth win of the season.

Seattle (18-22-5-1) got off to a hot start, out shooting the Blazers 10-1 to start the game and built a 2-0 lead on goals by Philp and Wedman. The start was key for the Thunderbirds.

“It can deflate the other side and feel like an uphill battle, especially when you’re tired,” O’Dette said of the start.  “That was one of our keys to have the energy at the start. Sometimes, just energy and showing life can be intimidating in a three-in-three situation, when both teams are tired.”

With a 2-1 lead in the second period, rookie defenseman Tyrel Bauer flung a shot from the point that seemed to hit traffic in front before beating Kamloops goalie Dylan Garand. It was his first WHL goal but was credited to Rybinski at first.

During the intermission it was reviewed and properly given to the 16-year-old.

“They announced it as Rybinski but I was just happy that we got ahead in that game,” Buaer said. “The play was a D-to-D, one-timer but they had a guy flexing out hard and I thought I’d just throw it towards the net and it paid off.”

Bauer has logged big minutes for the Thunderbirds but had yet to find the back of the net.

“He’s been playing well,” O’Dette said. “It’s a lot of responsibility for a 16-year-old defenseman that he’s had this year. It’s nice to see him get rewarded with a goal.”

With the score 3-1, Wedman would make it 4-1 as he tipped in a pass from Richards just in front of the goal. That was the official description of the play, but it looked like perhaps the shot went off a Kamloops defenseman and should be Richards’ goal.

“I was tied up with the D-Man there and couldn’t really tell,” Wedman said with a smile. “We’ll let Richie have that one.”

Up 4-1 the Thunderbirds were in cruise control but then were called for a series of penalties. Kamloops (19-25-2-1) ended up with three consecutive five-on-three power-play looks at the end of the second period and into the third.

Connor Zary would convert on one of the chances to cut the Seattle lead to two, but the Thunderbirds penalty kill would come up big to keep the Blazers from getting any closer.

“It was rough patch and that kind of gave them life and momentum, we had to hang on for a little bit,” O’Dette said. “Three five-on-three kills, obviously that‘s not the recipe but great job by the PK, (Jaxan Kalulski) steps up with a huge block there in the last part of the five on three.”

Richards would add another goal in the third and the Thunderbirds ended their grueling weekend with three points and find themselves holding on to the last playoff spot.

“We were treating it like a playoff game, and everyone was going,” Wedman said. “That’s what we needed to win this game. It was awesome, hearing the crowd roar. Everyone was ready to go, it was a fun atmosphere.”

The Thunderbirds are now 7-3-1-1 since their New Year’s Day trade flurry and are playing with a ton of confidence. They will next head to Kelowna for a game with the Rockets on Wednesday.

Notes

• O’Dette did not offer many details on Volcan’s status Sunday. “We’re still in wait and see mode,” O’Dette offered.

• Coming into the night, the Blazers had won five straight against Seattle, dating back to last season. They were 2-0 this season and had outscored the Thunderbirds 13-5.

• With three more assists on Sunday, Rybinksi upped his point total to 12 games in 11 games, all of which are assists.

• After three games in three nights, the Thunderbirds will have Monday off before reconvening Tuesday morning for a practice. “I’m sleeping in,” Wedman said about his Monday plans.

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