THUNDERBIRDS

Game 11: Thunderbirds come up empty against the Cougars

Oct 29, 2010, 10:25 PM | Updated: Apr 6, 2011, 11:23 am

(8-6-1) Prince George Cougars 2, (5-3-1-2) Seattle Thunderbirds 0

Streak of seven games with at least one point comes to an end

KENT– In a night where the Thunderbirds couldn’t buy a goal they were also handed their first loss in regulation on home ice.

Some fists were flying early on in this one as Mitch Elliot and Brock Hirsche went at it during the first minute of the game with Hirsche hurting his leg during the fight and having to leave the ice. He would return later. The Cougars picked up the first power play opportunity of the game as Dave Sutter was called for tripping at 1:16. The Birds killed off the penalty, allowing two shots. Connor Sanvido was called for hooking at 5:47 putting Prince George back on the power play and Seattle was able to kill it off. The Birds picked up their first power play opportunity at 8:41 and did not convert despite getting off a few shots. At the 16:38 mark the Cougars were called for roughing as Wilson Dumais and Scott Ramsay were battling behind the net and Dumais pushed Ramsey to the ice. Ramsay did not retaliate and the Birds went on their second power play. Seattle could not take advantage and the game remained scoreless.

With just two seconds remaining in the period the Cougars went on the power play for the third time as Sutter was called for slashing. The penalty would carry over into the second period. Shots were 12-8 Thunderbirds after the first 20 minutes. Seattle limited the Cougars scoring chances in the period while not being able to convert on a few good chances of their own.

The Cougars were only able to get one shot on net during the power play to open the second period as Seattle killed off the penalty. The Cougars were called for too many men on the ice at the 4:33 mark and Seattle went on their third power play. With 40 seconds remaining on the power play the Cougars took another penalty and the Birds had a five on three advantage. They couldn’t convert on the two man advantage nor could they with the traditional power play time remaining.

At the halfway point there was still no score with Seattle being 0 for 4 on the power play and the Cougars 0 for 3. The Cougars went back on the power play at the 12:33 mark as Burke Gallimore was called for tripping. Prince George got six shots on net during the man advantage yet could not convert. With just over two minutes left Prince George went on the power play once again as Sutter took his third penalty of the game. With 20 seconds remaining on the power play Prince George took a penalty ending their advantage and giving the Birds one of their own which would carry over into the third period. After 40 minutes the game remained scoreless with the Birds having the slight advantage in shots 23-20.

The Birds had one really good scoring chance on the power play to start the third with Prince George goalie Ty Rimmer (3-2) making the save as the Cougars killed it off. At 2:22 Jacob Doty and Greg Fraser dropped the gloves but the fight was quick with Doty knocking Fraser to the ice. At the 3:07 mark, Austin Baecker took a tripping penalty putting the Cougars on their sixth power play. The Thunderbirds killed it off but soon after Elliot was called for unsportsmanlike conduct and the Cougars went back on the power play. Just seconds later things evened up as the Cougars were called for tripping. When everything was said and done both teams remained without a goal despite having multiple power play opportunities.

The Cougars went on their eighth power play of the game at the 13:04 mark as Colin Jacobs was called for tripping and this time they would make it count as Nick Buonassisi scored the first goal of the game at the 13:59 mark giving Prince George a 1-0 lead. The Cougars would add another goal at the 16:24 mark with Taylor Stefishen scoring and the Cougars led 2-0. The Thunderbirds pulled Calvin Pickard (5-3-1-2) with just over three minutes left and then went on the power play for the seventh time at the 17:28 mark and they had the extra skater as well.

For the seventh time the Birds would come up empty handed and go on to lose 2-0.

If it seems this game was all about the penalties that would pretty much be the case. With 15 power plays combined only the Cougars were able to put one in the back of the net, on the eighth and final opportunity. Unfortunately for Seattle it would stand up as the game winner. Speaking about all of the penalties Rob Sumner said, “They were called both ways some I’m not complaining about that. I had a tough time locating some of the penalties going on out there, but the ones in the third period were indeed penalties and we can’t take those.” When talking about the difference between the ineffective power play tonight vs. the effective one on Tuesday Sumner went on to say. “I didn’t think we took his (Ty Rimmer) eyes away enough, we weren’t as good at screening the goalie tonight.”

Because of all of the calls the game never really had a good flow to it and neither team was able to get a sustained offensive attack going. It all came in spurts.With the Thunderbirds out shooting the Cougars 36-32, they certainly had opportunities including four breakaways but a combination of inaccurate shooting and stellar goaltending by Rimmer led to the Birds being shut out for the first time this season. “Rimmer played a great game, you have to give him credit”, said Sumner, “but we had some chances, and in a tight game like that you have to finish.” After going 3 for 4 on the power play against Tri-City on Tuesday night, the Birds went 0 for 7 tonight. Prince George wasn’t much better at 1 for 8, but that one was the only goal they would need to win the game. This was Prince George’s first win this season when scoring three goals or less.

A quick turnaround as the Thunderbirds hopped on the bus and headed up to Kamloops where they will take on the Blazers Saturday night. “There are no nights off,” said Sumner, “we have to find a way to simplify and get pucks to the net.”

That game will start at 7 pm.

Game Notes:

D Scott Ramsay was back on the ice after recovering from a concussion

D Erik Fleming remains out with an MCL sprain.

– Tonight marked the return of D Sena Acolatse who was recently picked up by Prince George from Saskatoon. He did not register a point in the game.

– The Thunderbirds are now 2-1-1-1 at home.

– Attendance was announced as 3,033.

Game Summary:

1st Period- No Scoring.Penalties-Hirsche P.g (major-fighting), 0:49; Elliot Sea (major-fighting), 0:49; Sutter Sea (tripping), 1:16; Sanvido Sea (hooking), 5:47; Asuchak P.g (hooking), 8:41; Dumais P.g (roughing), 16:38; Sutter Sea (slashing), 19:58.

2nd Period- No Scoring.Penalties-served by Dumais P.g (too many men), 4:33; Stefishen P.g (hooking), 5:53; Asuchak P.g (roughing), 9:32; Toomey Sea (roughing), 9:32; Gallimore Sea (tripping), 12:33; Sutter Sea (high sticking), 17:57; Acolatse P.g (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 19:36; Asuchak P.g (cross checking), 19:36; Ramsay Sea (slashing), 19:36; Inglis P.g (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 19:40; Dillon Sea (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 19:40.

3rd Period-1, Prince George, Buonassisi 6 (Stefishen, Marincin), 13:59 (PP). 2, Prince George, Stefishen 2 (Buonassisi, Marincin), 16:24. Penalties-Fraser P.g (major-fighting), 2:22; Doty Sea (major-fighting), 2:22; Ramsay Sea (tripping), 3:07; Elliot Sea (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 6:11; Forsberg P.g (tripping), 6:28; Jacobs Sea (tripping), 13:04; Carlson P.g (interference), 17:28.

Shots on Goal-Prince George 8-12-12-32. Seattle 12-11-13-36.

Power Play Opportunities-Prince George 1 / 8; Seattle 0 / 7.

Goalies-Prince George, Rimmer 2-2-0-0 (36 shots-36 saves). Seattle, Pickard 5-2-1-2 (32 shots-30 saves).

A-3,033

Referees-Steve Papp (36), Jeff Ingram.

Linesmen-Nathan Van Oosten (115), Adam Brastad (132).

mike.caccioppoli@yahoo.com

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

Game 11: Thunderbirds come up empty against the Cougars