Game 10: Thunderbirds victorious in their first shootout of the season as they down the Royals
Oct 28, 2011, 9:46 PM | Updated: Oct 29, 2011, 12:58 am
(5-5) Seattle Thunderbirds 4, (8-7-0-1) Victoria Royals 3 (Shootout)
“Both teams were really sticking to their systems and it was almost like what team would make that mistake first and we did but our guys got right back on it and kept going.”…Head Coach Steve Konowalchuk
VICTORIA- The Thunderbirds first trip to Victoria since the ’93-’94 season resulted in a bizarre match with the Birds and Royals playing a scoreless first 40 minutes before combining for six goals in the third period. With the game tied 3-3 the Birds went to overtime for the first time this season and pull out a 4-3 victory.
After a fairly conservative first 13 minutes (7-4 Birds in shots) the Thunderbirds get the first power play opportunity (Austin Carroll/Charging). Just as their power play was expiring they got another call in their favor (Mike Forsyth/Tripping).
Branden Troock was called for Hooking and that gave the Royals their first power play of the game.
The Birds had their scoring chances especially on the power play but weren’t able to get one past Keith Hamilton (7-5-0-1). They outshot the Royals 12-5 in a scoreless first.
Tyler Alos had two great scoring chances in the first half of the second period. The first was on a partial breakaway and the second was from right out in front of the net but he was denied both times by Hamilton.
The second half of the period saw the Royals getting most of the scoring chances with Calvin Pickard (5-4) making some nice saves to keep the game scoreless after 40 minutes.
The Royals outshot the Birds 16-6 in the second period.
The Birds with a golden opportunity to start the third period when Keegan Kanzig was called for Slashing. That opportunity turned disastrous as the Royals netted back to back short handed goals (Kevin Sundher/6, Tim Traber/1) to take a 2-0 lead.
Seattle began their march back into the game when Brad Deagle scored an unassisted goal at 3:22. It was his first goal of the season.
Connor Sanvido tied the game 2-2 at 6:24 when he scored off a breakaway. The assists went to Chance Lund and Deagle. It was Sanvido’s first goal of the season.
Just 13 seconds later Burke Gallimore (5) put the Birds up 3-2. Marcel Noebels got the assist.
Sanvido was helped off the ice with just over seven minutes left in the period and appeared to be limping.
The Royals pulled Hamilton for the extra attacker and Sundher (7) scored to tie the game 3-3 with 1:25 left.
The Birds would go to overtime for the first time this season.
Scoring chances on both sides in OT with Gallimore having the best shot and he hit the post.
The game would go to the shootout.
The Birds win 4-3 with Luke Lockhart getting the game winner in the fourth round of the shootout.
Quotes of the game:
Head Coach Steve Konowalchuk on the pace of the game..
“Both teams were really sticking to their systems and it was almost like what team would make that mistake first and we did but our guys got right back on it and kept going.”
On the two short handed goals on the same power play..
“They have some guys there that were waiting for their chance (to make a play) and they just capitalized so you have to give them credit.”
On the stellar play of Calvin Pickard..
“You know Calvin is Calvin..he’s going to make great saves and he made some (tonight). He made some big saves when we needed them and in the shootout.”
On making other teams work for their goals..
“For the most part we are making teams work for their chances. Unlike the power play where we didn’t really make them work (for the short handed goals), for the most part we are making teams work. We’re not having too many defensive breakdowns.”
On getting Kyle Verdino back from suspension tomorrow..
“It’ll be good to get him back. Obviously he’s a big part of the team. He’s big on the power play as well.”
Plus side:
-Seattle comes right back after giving up two short handed goals on the same power play early in the third period.
-Calvin Pickard has a spectacular game. He made 34 saves on 37 shots and some of those saves were of the highlight reel type.
-Two Birds get their first goals of the season (Sanvido and Deagle)
Minus side:
-Allowing two short handed goals is bad enough, having them come on the same power play is not only bad but very rare.
– Seattle may have prevented Victoria from getting a point but not being able to put one in the empty net gave the Royals a chance to tie the game.
– The Birds has several good scoring chances in the first period but had trouble finishing their chances.
Game Notes:
– D Kyle Verdino didn’t play. He was serving the second game of his two game suspension.
– This was the Birds first game in Victoria since the 1993-1994 season when the Cougars played there.
– The Birds improve to 3-1 on the road.
– Many Thunderbird fans made the trip from Seattle to Victoria for the two game set.
MyNorthwest.com three stars of the game:
First Star: Calvin Pickard (34/37 saves)
Second star: Kevin Sundher (two goals)
Third star: Burke Gallimore (two goals..one coming in the shootout)
The Thunderbirds finish out their Victoria weekend Saturday night at 7 pm. The game can be heard live at MyNorthwest.com
The game summary can be seen at the WHL website.
