Early goals and a lot of Roddy Ross carry Thunderbirds past Hitmen

Seattle Thunderbirds head coach Matt O’Dette found extra motivation for his club Monday night as they visited the Calgary Hitmen.

Prior to the game, he told his team that if they won, they’d earn two days off. But that wasn’t the only bonus he offered.

“And some candy, we’re throwing out all the carrots today.” He said afterward.

The ploy worked as the Thunderbirds scored twice in the game’s first three minutes and that would be enough as Roddy Ross kicked out 33 of the 34 Calgary Hitmen shots he saw to backstop Seattle to a 2-1 win at the Scotiabank Saddledome. It was the third win in the last four games for the Thunderbirds as they head back to the United States after winning two of three on their brief swing through Alberta.

“We were looking for a good start and we got that,” O’Dette said. “We came out of the gates playing real well. I thought we got away from the game plan to manage the puck a few shifts in the second and that led to their goal. We dug deep in the third period. They had some looks but we stayed composed and Roddy was there to slam the door shut.”

Matthew Wedman stayed hot and scored a goal as did Keltie Jeri-Leon to give Ross all the offense he’d need. Seattle (5-5-2-1) never trailed and rode Ross, strong defense, and some key penalty kills to get the win.

The biggest kill came midway through the third period with the Thunderbirds holding on to a slim 2-1 lead. Calgary (8-3-1-0) features the WHL’s sixth-best power-play unit and was given a golden chance to tie the game.

The task was made tougher as the first 50 seconds of the power play would be a four-on-three chance due to previous penalties that were being served by both teams. The Thunderbirds penalty killers didn’t allow the Hitmen good looks and came close to scoring a short-handed goal as Lucas Ciona nearly scored after forcing a turnover.

“Four-on-three, that’s a tough one for that extended amount of time,” O’Dette said of the third-period kill. “Our guys did well, (Payton) Mount did well, he had a key blocked shot. At that point of the game, our guys knew how big of a kill that was and we dug deep to get that one.”

Seattle was perfect on the night, keeping the potent Hitmen power play off the scoreboard on its four chances.

Ross picked up his fifth of the season and was steady from the opening moments of the game. His best save came with around 13 minutes left in the game when he stoned James Malm who had broken in on a two-on-one chance.

The Philadelphia Flyers prospect has been hot lately.

He has kept the Thunderbirds in every game and has not lost in regulation during his last five starts.

“He was good today,” O’Dette said. “I think in Red Deer he wasn’t too happy with himself, I thought he played well even so. He’s been there for us every game. What else can you say about him, he’s been great.”

Wedman opened the scoring on Seattle’s first shot of the game, 33 seconds after the opening face-off. He deflected a pass in from Michael Horon for his fifth of the year. The goal was his second in as many games and extended Wedman’s point streak to four games.

That line, along with Henrik Rybinski was the best trio for O’Dette on Monday.

The constant on that line has been Wedman and Rybinski as they’ve had a number of wingers slide into the lineup. Monday, the three set up the first goal and ended the night with nine of Seattle’s shots on goal.

“Those are two good players and I think Michael Horon fit in real well,” O’Dette said. “It seems that every time he gets a shift with that line there’s some chemistry there. Weds is coming around, he’s starting to take over games. Rybie got off the schnied and you can see the difference, he’s playing a complete game.”

Jeri-Leon extended the Seattle lead before the two-minute mark of the first with a shot from just inside the blue line that Calgary goalie Brayden Peters couldn’t handle. It was Jeri-Leon’s fourth of the year and would prove to be the game-winner as the Hitmen could only muster a second-period goal from defenseman Layne Toder.

Before embarking on the mini swing, the Thunderbirds had not been able to break through on the road. They hop on the bus to enjoy their two days off by winning two road games and should head into next weekend’s road matchups with a bit more confidence.

Game Notes

• Kai Uchacz and Conner Roulette were not in the lineup Monday as the pair left the team to play for Canada in the upcoming U17 tournament. They will be joined by Thunderbirds goalie prospect Thomas Milic.

• Those absences allowed for 16-year-old Sam Popowich to get into his first WHL game. He picked up an assist on the Jeri-Leon goal for his first WHL point.

• The candy and days off were a fun incentive for the Thunderbirds and O’Dette felt the rest would be worthwhile.

“It’s a tough road trip and we’re getting in around noon tomorrow,” he said. “That’s not the best day off having to spend the night on the bus. A little carrot to dangle there.”

Follow @AndyEide