Game 24: Thunderbirds lose big to Kootenay
Nov 27, 2010, 9:30 PM | Updated: Apr 6, 2011, 11:23 am
(17-7-0-2) Kootenay Ice 6, (11-6-3-4) Seattle Thunderbirds 2
Pickard pulled in 2nd period…Thunderbirds give up three power play goals
KENT–A game that started out well for the Birds went downhill quickly as the Kootenay Ice scored six straight goals and defeated a Thunderbirds team that seemed outmatched most of the game by a score of 6-2.
The Thunderbirds got an early power play opportunity when Steele Boomer was called for Slashing at the 19 second mark. They got two shots on net as Kootenay killed off the penalty. The Birds would go back on the power play at 8:17 as Jesse Ismond was called for Slashing. Luke Lockhart (11) put a beautiful slap shot past Nathan Lieuwen (12-5-0-1) to put the Birds up 1-0 at the 8:44 mark. The goal was assisted by Brenden Dillon. At 12:02 Charles Wells was called for Elbowing to put the Ice on the power play for the first time. Kootenay tied the game on a goal by Boomer (5) at 13:07.
There were a bunch of penalties handed out because of a scrum after a stoppage in play and somehow referees Matt Kirk and Jason Nissen decided that Jacob Doty should be given a double minor for roughing. “They said he threw the first punch and continued on and threw a late punch and I didn’t see it that way,” remarked Rob Sumner . The time of the penalties was 17:16. The Ice scored quickly on their first part of the double minor when Boomer knocked in his 6th of the season and second of the game to put Kootenay up 2-1 at 17:33. They also scored on the second part of the double minor when Kevin King (12) put one past Calvin Pickard (11-6-2-4) as Pickard came out of the net to try and play the puck. The goal at 18:43 put the Ice up 3-1 and made them 3 for 3 on the power play. They came into the game last in the league in that category at 14 percent.
The Birds were down 3-1 after 20 minutes. They were out shot 17-5.
The teams would skate four on four 45 seconds into the second period when Dillon and Brayden McNabb were assessed Unsportsmanlike Conduct penalties. Kootenay went up 4-1 when Drew Czerwonka scored his 7th goal of the season at 1:35. The Ice went up 5-1 when Ismond scored off a two on one. It was his 8th of the season. Pickard was then pulled in favor of Michael Salmon. It was the first time this season a Seattle goaltender has been pulled from a game.
At the halfway mark Seattle was being out shot 25-7.
Boomer was called for Cross Checking at 13:17 to give the Birds a power play. A couple of flurries allowed them to get five shots on net even though they weren’t able to put one past Lieuwen.
The Ice went up 6-1 as the Seattle defense fell asleep and watched 15 year old Sam Reinhart (2) score Kootenay’s sixth straight goal of the game.
The Birds went into the third period down 6-1, being out shot 29-13.
The Thunderbirds went on the power play 2:16 into the third period when McNabb was called for Hooking. They did not score. The Birds went back on the power play at 7:15 when Ismond was called for Hooking. They didn’t convert but just seconds after the penalty expired Travis Bobbee (3) scored to make it a 6-2 game. The goal was scored at 9:48 and was assisted by Wells and Erik Bonsor.
That would be the end of the scoring as the Birds lose 6-2. They were out shot 38-25.
Calvin Pickard bobblehead night played more like 2009-2010 flashback night as the Birds were pretty much dominated by the Kootenay Ice. It’s the kind of game we saw too many times last season but it’s actually the first game this season that the Birds were out of a game by the midway point. Six goals allowed are a season high and the four goal deficit is the most the Birds have lost by so far.
Sumner was asked if it was a lack of effort by the Birds or if they were just soundly beaten by a good team. “They did a lot of things right early in the game to dictate the way the game was going to go and obviously three for three on the power play hurt.”
The penalty kill has failed the Birds as of late. Tonight they gave up three straight power play goals to a team that was ranked last in the league in that area. “I think last night it was a missed assignment,” said Sumner about the Birds recent PK issues. “Tonight it was rebounds. They were hungry in front of the net and scored some gritty goals.”
The loss was especially disappointing after a big win in Everett Friday night. Sumner was asked if the loss was even tougher because of the good effort the previous night. “A little bit, I think our guys had good intentions but didn’t execute tonight. Tonight wasn’t a great game for us.”
Pickard was pulled in the second period but not due to anything he was doing wrong. “Things weren’t going well and you have limited options so I wanted to shake things up a bit,” said Sumner.
The Birds have really struggled on home ice as opposed to on the road where they have played extremely well. That fact is a bit puzzling to Sumner. “We haven’t played consistent at home the way we have on the road. I can’t put my finger on (the reasons) right now, but there is a difference in our performances.”
The Thunderbirds will get one more chance on home ice before heading on a four game road trip. They face the Medicine Hat Tigers on Tuesday night at the ShoWare Center. Game time is 7 pm and the radio broadcast will be streamed live, as always, at MyNorthwest.com.
Game Notes:
– The Thunderbirds home record drops to 4-3-1-2.
– Seattle was 1 for 5 on the power play, Kootenay was 3 for 3.
– Attendance at the ShoWare Center was announced as 4,074.
– F Connor Sanvido, D Austin Frank, and D Austin Baecker were healthy scratches.
Game Summary:
1st Period-1, Seattle, Lockhart 11 (Dillon), 8:44 (PP). 2, Kootenay, Boomer 5 (King, Fraser), 13:07 (PP). 3, Kootenay, Boomer 6 (Dirk, Fraser), 17:33 (PP). 4, Kootenay, King 12 (McNabb), 18:43 (PP). Penalties-Boomer Ktn (slashing), 0:19; Ismond Ktn (slashing), 8:17; Wells Sea (elbowing), 12:02; Czerwonka Ktn (roughing), 17:16; Doty Sea (roughing, roughing), 17:16; Lund Sea (tripping), 17:16.
2nd Period-5, Kootenay, Czerwonka 7 (Martin, Antilla), 1:35. 6, Kootenay, Ismond 8 (King), 5:03. 7, Kootenay, Reinhart 2 (Antilla), 18:38. Penalties-McNabb Ktn (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 0:45; Dillon Sea (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 0:45; Boomer Ktn (cross checking), 13:17.
3rd Period-8, Seattle, Bobbee 3 (Wells, Bonsor), 9:48. Penalties-McNabb Ktn (tripping), 2:16; Ismond Ktn (hooking), 7:15.
Shots on Goal-Kootenay 17-12-9-38. Seattle 5-8-12-25.
Power Play Opportunities-Kootenay 3 / 3; Seattle 1 / 5.
Goalies-Kootenay, Lieuwen 12-5-0-1 (25 shots-23 saves). Seattle, Pickard 11-6-2-4 (23 shots-18 saves); Salmon 0-0-1-0 (15 shots-14 saves).
A-4,074
Referees-Matt Kirk (4), Jason Nissen (91).
Linesmen-Zach Brooks (26), Kiel Murchison (46).
