Game 21: Branden Troock’s two goals help lead the Birds past Regina
Nov 23, 2011, 9:47 PM | Updated: Nov 24, 2011, 1:05 am
(10-11) Seattle Thunderbirds 5, (12-10-1-1) Regina Pats 2
“They played a pretty complete game. They played hard for 60 minutes and the score didn’t matter. We were down 2-0 we kept playing hard, we were up 5-2 we kept playing hard. That’s good to see, you put the score behind you and keep playing.”…Head Coach Steve Konowalchuk
“You have to get the greasy goals. We’ve been going through it at practice quite a bit, that’s what coach preaches.”.. Branden Troock
KENT- After falling behind 2-0 early the Birds storm back and defeat the Regina Pats 5-2. Branden Troock had two goals and the Birds have now won five of their last six.
After taking a 12-6 lead in shots and having a few good scoring chances the Birds found themselves down 1-0 when Chandler Stephenson beat Dave Sutter and then Calvin Pickard (10-9) at 11:15 of the first period.
It was Stephenson (second of game..11th of season) once again off a scrum in front of the Birds net to put the Pats up 2-0 at 14:28.
Troock (4) got the Birds on the board at 15:14 to cut Regina’s lead to 2-1. Tyler Alos got the assist.
Seattle trailed 2-1 after 20 minutes and led 17-15 in shots.
Seattle tied the game 2-2 at 6:28 when Troock (second of game.. 5th of the season) went hard to the net and put one past Matt Hewitt (12-6-1-1). It was assisted by Marcel Noebels and Burke Gallimore.
The first penalty of the game came with 3:03 left in the period. Matt Marantz went to the box for Slashing and the Birds had their first power play chance.
The game was tied 2-2 after two periods of play. Regina led 28-27 in shots.
Gallimore (11) gave the Birds their first lead of the game, 3-2 just 1:20 into the third period when he rocketed one past Hewitt. It was unassisted.
Kyle Verdino (3) put the Birds up 4-2 on the power play off a brilliant pass through the slot by Luke Lockhart at 7:50. Chance Lund got the other assist.
The Birds took a 5-2 lead when Lund (7) slapped a shot past Hewitt at 15:13. It was unassisted.
Seattle defeats Regina 5-2.
Quotes of the game:
Branden Troock on going hard to the net..
“You have to get the greasy goals. We’ve been going through it at practice quite a bit, that’s what coach preaches.”
On clicking with Gallimore…
“We just kinda jumped into it today.. hopefully it keeps going.”
Head Coach Steve Konowalchuk on winning..
“They played a pretty complete game. They played hard for 60 minutes and the score didn’t matter. We were down 2-0 we kept playing hard, we were up 5-2 we kept playing hard. That’s good to see, you put the score behind you and keep playing.”
On coming back from down 2-0…
“I thought we were pushing the pace pretty well. We gave up a couple to a pretty good line. Our guys kept going and as the game went on we kept skating and got going.”
On the chemistry between Troock and Gallimore as well as taking shots in general…
“That line, they are offensive guys, in fact I’d say at times they didn’t have chemistry cause they were passing too much and they need to shoot. We have guys that look to pass and we have to shoot. Sometimes we look for a better play when we just need to shoot.”
On not allowing a power play opportunity…
“We were skating and initiating and when you do that you limit the numbers of penalties you take.”
On the Birds getting contributions from up and down the lineup..
“We have a deep team, we have guys that can all pitch in. We have key guys like any other team but we have a deep team and we want to keep pushing the pace.”
On Brendan Rouse getting hurt in the first period and other guys stepping up…
“Guys got their opportunity. Rouse went down and Troock got ice time. He played a complete game, he gets too cute still at times but he didn’t quit working. There will be opportunities for other guys.”
Plus side:
-After falling behind 2-0 early the Birds begin their comeback with Troock’s goal. They never looked back from there and scored five unanswered goals to finish the game.
-The Birds didn’t allow a power play chance all game.
-For the most part they controlled the pace of the game even when they were down early.
-They went hard to the net consistently and probably could have had more than five goals if not for a bounce here and there.
-Troock and Gallimore combine for four points while Theodore and Hauf were both a +3.
Minus side:
–Some sloppy play in front of their net puts the Birds in an early 2-0 hole.
Game Notes:
– Pickard was named CHL goaltender of the week for his back to back wins against Tri-City and Portland.
– D Cason Machacek remains out with an upper body injury (day to day).
– F Mitch Guiel was a healthy scratch.
– F Brendan Rouse left the game in the first period due to an injury to his hand/wrist.
– The Birds improved to 5-5 at home. They have won their last three home games and five of six games overall.
MyNorthwest.com three stars:
First star: Branden Troock (two goals)
Second star: Burke Gallimore (goal and assist)
Third star: Chandler Stephenson (two goals)
The Thunderbirds play Friday night at the ShoWare Center against the Prince George Cougars. Game time is 7:30 pm and the action can be heard live at MyNorthwest.com.
Game summary is on the WHL website.
