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2.01.2012

Seattle falls to Spokane


Seattle falls again last night in what was basically another 1 goal game. Seattle battled back from being a goal down on three separate occasions, but couldn't find the back of the net for a 4th time in the final minutes of the game before Dominik Uher tapped in an empty net goal to seal the deal. Uher ended his career night with 4 goals, getting a Power Play goal in the 1st, an Even Strength goal in the 2nd and 3rd and added the Empty Netter to close the scoring. Uher's 3rd goal came with just over a minute left in the game and broke a 3-3 tie as the Tbirds turned the puck over at the blue line and he converted with a high finish over Calvin Pickard to the short side. Seattle has lost 3 straight games again and now find themselves only 4 points ahead of Prince George in the battle to hang onto a playoff spot.
  • Calvin Pickard had a bit of a strange game last night. He made about 2 or 3 absolutely phenomenal highlight reel saves, but also struggled a bit giving up short side goals to Uher in the 1st period and the go-ahead game winner with a minute left in the game. It's difficult to fault a goaltender in any situation where a player is breaking in on them uncontested but I can bet that Picks would love to have another crack at both of those goals.  The goal scored by Uher in the 2nd period was a tip and the goal scored by Brandon Kitchton in the 3rd was uncontested from the slot and was hammered off the bar and down... hard to fault him there.  Playing for this team has to be frustrating for Pickard and only a fellow goalie can understand how a lack of trust in your teammates can negatively affect your game.  I'm not using that as an excuse and I'm sure Pickard wouldn't either but simply "focusing on the shot" is tougher when you don't trust your teammates.
  • Aside from the outcome... the most interesting aspect of the game last night was the (regular season) debut of Mitch Elliot playing on defense. I like the idea, and quite frankly it is probably something they should have tried earlier. Elliot has not taken any steps forward this year and if anything I think he might have taken a step backwards. I thought he actually looked pretty good back there (expectations considered). He got beat around the outside on one rush and showed that his lack of foot-speed is still likely to be an issue but most of our defenders have similar issues.  He also clearly missed an assignment on a stretch pass that led to a scoring chance on another occasion. The good news... He carried the puck on his first shift and looked fairly comfortable doing it even though he wasn't able to get the puck deep and he he we very physical in front of the net, something that our defense has needed for the better part of the last 3 seasons.  It's a work in progress but this team looks unbelievably short on defense next year and if Elliot can provide the team with some minutes it would provide a small boost.
  • Connor Honey had a fantastic game for the Tbirds and looks as though he is really starting to settle in. His centering pass to Dillon Wagner for the game tying goal in the 3rd period was a thing of beauty and really showed the kind of natural vision and passing ability that he possesses. If he improves his decision making just a little bit and works on his skating, and as his size/build increases, he is going to be a force in the league maybe sooner than later.
  • Jacob Doty had a nice fight with Corbin Baldwin after Baldwin ran Colin Jacobs into the boards from behind. For whatever reason, I'm not sure Baldwin even tried to throw any punches, he looked like he was just holding on for the duration of the fight.
  • Rough night statistically for Shea Theodore as he was -3 but I would like to point out that he has looked much better in the past several games after suffering through his "slump" in the middle of the season.
  • Officiating was far from perfect last night but I didn't have a problem with most of the calls. Pat Smith has taken a lot of crap over the years (probably most deserved) but in my mind he is an example of the development that happens for officials as well as players and I believe he has become one of the better officials I have seen this season.
  • Seth Swenson now has 4 goals and 7 points in 11 games after having 7 points in 33 games for Portland and only 5 career goals in 132 games with the Winterhawks.
  • With points being an absolute premium right now Seattle skated hard for 40 minutes and fell flat in the 3rd period, eventually getting the result that they probable deserved.
I'm tired. I'm tired of writing about this team losing. This team needs some points badly. They wake up on February 1st with only a 4 point lead over Prince George for that final playoff spot.  The effort has been pretty good for the most part but this team just can't afford to take a shift off much less a period. This team needs points in a bad way and things just appear to be headed towards eventually falling out of the playoffs again.

27 comments :

Anonymous said...

I dont blame you for a minute, Im tired of watching game after game with the same result. I agree the team is very weak on defence & Elliot should help given some time. Both Theodore & Hauf will be good players in the next year or two but right now both struggle to make a pass out of their own end or win a one on one battle. forwards for the most part have been ok, I agree Honey as well as Troock will be the teams best forwards next year and the year after. For now scoring goals is the biggest problem but unitl you can get out of your own end and spend some time on offence that will continue.

Anonymous said...

Why haven't we seen more of Evan Wardley? If we are going to be short next season shouldn't we be getting him some more time?

Anonymous said...

Agreed about Wardley, get him playing! He sure makes a statement when he's on the ice, play the kid!

Anonymous said...

I agree, I think all the fans are tired of the losing, it's frustrating to go to the Sho thinking, they are going to lose this game tonight, this is going on three years.Our labled scorers are non existant and don't show up.The defense is just horrible except for Calvin, I agree let Wardley play and develope!

Anonymous said...

It's easy to say let the young guys play and develop because we're not going anywhere this season, but isn't that what they said two years ago? Well, those players didn't develop. Maybe what they need to be developing is an idea of what it takes to win. I think just sticking in players in hopes they will "develop" only shows the other players that the coach/management has given up. Not the best way to instill a winning tradition. I think Konowalchuk wants get the team in the playoffs...give them something/anything to play for rather than just playing out the string by letting the young guys get all the ice time. If you don't learn how to win, you'll be in the same situation again next year at this time.

Anonymous said...

Since we gone down this road, here's something that I posted on mynorthwest.com a few days ago....


My 6 year old son said something tonight (January 28) that I thought he would never say. Half way through the third period of the Seattle/Portland hockey game my son said, “I am rooting for the other team to win” to the delight of the Portland fans sitting around us. After I picked my jaw and pride off the ground I had to ask why. It seems that it is no fun to continue to watch the Thunderbirds lose.


I blame the Thunderbird team for this sudden change of heart. However, it’s not for losing but for winning that December 29 night. It seems that my son had a sudden taste of a win that night. Prior to that win my son had only witnessed were loses. He witnessed about a dozen last season and another one this season. That one win provided the thrill and excitement to my son.


The smashing of the Thunderbirds by Portland brought his excitement crashing back to earth. Suddenly his eyes were open and having your team lose night after night became no fun. The excitement of a win caught his attention and he didn’t want to let it go.


It’s time that the Thunderbird organization to consider some major changes. A new coach is in place but the team suffers from the same problems as previous years. It’s time for the Thunderbirds to look within itself and determine what or who the fault of their many problems is. It’s time for Russ Farwell to start thinking that he may be part of the problem. It’s time for a change. It’s time for a Mr. Farwell to become just a well respected owner and hire a new GM.

Anonymous said...

We could hire Soetaert now that he's available. :-)

Anonymous said...

All in all this is supposed to be a devlopment league for these young athletes.......

Anonymous said...

Amazing that it is a developemental league for all of the teams.

Anonymous said...

Not supposed to be a development league for the GM's? Anyway Rus has had longer to develop than most players sept maybe Gordy Howe have.

Anonymous said...

Russ is running his team as a hobby and it shows. I can't see supporting this team any more than a few games per year if they continue this way.

Anonymous said...

I think we're all tired of the losing. Especially considering I thought this was the year they were aiming for big things with Pickard as a 19 yo.

Since the drumbeats have been louder than I ever remember around here for the NHL, what do you think the impact to the T-Birds would be?

On one hand, I think it would bring more visibility to the Birds and offer a much cheaper alternative. On the other hand, there is only so much demand for hockey in this area. Maybe a topic not worth discussing, but this season is so depressing, I've found myself digressing.

Anonymous said...

If we got a NHL team, I would drop my Thunderbirds season tickets in a second. Wait, not even a second.

Anonymous said...

We might be able to see 4 NHL games for the price of t-birds season tickets...I'll stick with the Birds.

Trevor's Dad said...

Sadly I have been to only one game this year after being a season ticket holder for previous 7-8 years. The previous 2 years were just too depressing to watch. When I team is unable to even break out of their zone, getting outshot 2-1, and the outcome of the game is decided after the first period I can't watch anymore. I also thought it was pretty crappy to fire the coach. If anything the team has gotten worse with the new coach.

I'm not asking for too much. Just give me a team that works hard and has a chance of winning every game. Do that and I will return...

Anonymous said...

How many prospects has the T-bird "develop" the past few years? The Winterhawks have produced 4 NHL first round draftee the past 3 years!

Anonymous said...

Well, 2 were drafted in 2011(Noebles and Jacobs) they traded one away. 3 others (Doty, Elliot and Lockhart) had NHL camp invites and they have been sitting 2 of those 3. 1 went AHL camp (Verdino) who is now out. Does beg the question what this team is doing about developing their players.

Anonymous said...

that does answer that question. The T-birds are not really developing too much talent. 2 players drafted in 7 rounds is not too much to brag about. Attenting AHL camp ? I guess you can hang your hat on that.

Anonymous said...

Somebody said 4 NHL tickets would be the price of one Thunderbirds season ticket. Dream on.

One could easily buy at least 10 or so NHL tickets for the price of one Thunderbirds season ticket. Fact.

Plus, I would rather watch quality NHL hockey than deal with another losing Thunderbirds season. The Thunderbirds owners know this is how the majority of fans feel and you better believe they are terrified of NHL hockey coming to Seattle. If this town gets a NHL team the Thunderbirds will be out of business within two years.

Anonymous said...

Well if I want to sit in a seat equal to what I sit in at showare, using vancouver prices it would cost me 187.75 per game...and that's still not as close as I sit now. If I want to sit in row 22 it would cost me 143.75 per game. Season tickets for the T-Birds 558. That's 575 or 748 for 4 games in Vancouver. Fact.

Anonymous said...

The Birds wont be out of business if they put a quality team on the ice year in and out like Spokane and Tri City does!We are Seattle fans, win and they will come or should I say draft right and they will come!The above commnet is spot on about prices for NHL, even if the NHL comes, there will be a market for the birds but only if they start winning.

Anonymous said...

Tbirds season ticketholder for about 10 years here. If Seattle gets the NHL I will trade up my Tbirds tickets for the NHL. No more Tbirds for me.

Anonymous said...

If the NHL moves a team to Seattle, the TBirds will fade even more into obscurity than they already have. Other than the ultra die-hard hockey nuts, people won't patronize both teams. Given the product that the TBirds are putting on the ice these days, it's a no-brainer that they will lose a lot of customers.

Anonymous said...

I am afraid even these messages are a good sampling of the real issue. I think the Birds would have no problem attracting the family types or people looking for cheap entertainment. I do think there are a fair amount of season ticket holders that would jump ship and when you start losing season ticket holders, it can be a death sentence, especially since the Birds are trying to build up their base in a new arena and city.

It sure would help if they had a competitive team sometime soon.

Anonymous said...

Thunderbirds season ticket holder for 5 years, and Thunderbirds ticket buyer for about 17 years. I've steadily watched the hockey product run downhill with this team, especially since moving to Kent. If Seattle lands a NHL team, I will no longer renew my Thunderbirds season ticket and will likely very rarely buy single game Thunderbirds tickets.

Marc said...

I'd say the T-birds have been competitive recently. Most of the recent loses are basically one goal losses (EN goals are pushing the loss margin to more than one goal). I think they have gotten better on defense, but they are still stuggling to score goals. Late period goals are killing the T-birds right now. I hate to see them lose, but the games have been competitive (minus the Portland games).
The T-birds have to get Gropp signed or trade his rights for some one who will play for them, hit on the first round of the next two drafts. They have to get one or two impact Euros for next year.
I think the T-birds made a mistake not trading Pickard, I love watching him play, but Cotton does a good job and they could have used some offensive players coming back.

Anonymous said...

The T-Birds have been competitive in most of their recent games, but the reality is as a whole they have not been competitive ever since they moved to Kent record-wise.

Not winning a home game since the calendar turned to 2012 is embarrassing and becoming an annual New Year's tradition.

One thought I had if Seattle landed an NHL team is that the Showare could potentially host an AHL franchise much like the Rainiers for the Mariners.

I just have a hard time believing this area can support the NHL when 3-4K come to T-Birds games. For at least 1/3 of the reg. season, the NHL would be going head-to-head with football and I just don't see that working in this area.

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