I posted the relevant stats earlier this week, so I won't re-post them here but will provide what I think are the keys to the game tonight.
Seattle takes the long road to Portland tonight due to the I-5 closure and it was reported by TB that the team left for Portland yesterday to avoid any delays. The Winterhawks come into the game with a record of 5-23 but have played a little better of late having won 2 of their last 10 (can't believe I just wrote that last sentence). The last time Seattle faced Portland you needed to keep the roster nearby to keep track of all the new players that Portland traded for.
18 year old Travis Ehrhardt leads the Winterhawks with 20 points on 6 goals. Ehrhardt has 8 points on 3 goals in the 10 games he has played since coming over in a trade from Moose Jaw.
Kurtis Mucha is clearly the MVP of this squad having stopped 90.9% of the many shots he has faced for a record of 4-14 and a 3.72 GAA. Mucha has faced an unbelievable 38.33 shots per contest and has averaged 34.83 saves per game on those shots.
Keys to the Game:
1. Score early. Though Seattle was able to score early against the Americans on Tuesday and were not able to hold the lead, they would be in much better shape by scoring early and often on this struggling Portland team. The last thing you want to do is allow a team that is struggling to keep the score close and especially at home.
2. Shot selection. Mucha obviously faces a ton of shots and getting 30+ will be important to a Seattle win, but Mucha is a very solid goaltender and Seattle cannot get trapped into a sense of just putting shots on goal in order to win. Those shots need to come from dangerous locations on the ice (low slot and middle) in order to score more than once or twice on those 30+ shots.
3. Special Teams (as always). Portland is downright terrible on the Power Play... in fact they are the only team worse than Seattle with the man advantage. Portland ranks 20th in the WHL in killing penalties at home and Seattle must find a way to win the Special Teams battle in order to win.
Goals -
1. Lead after 1st and 2nd period
2. 30+ Shots
3. More PP goals than Portland
Hockey Challenge 2014
Recent Articles
12.07.2007
12.05.2007
Wednesday Afternoon Update
Alan Caldwell has a great post today that outlines the players that will miss time for each of the Junior Championships. You can find it here http://smallatlarge.blogspot.com/2007/12/player-absences.html.
Interesting to note that as of this moment Riku Helenius has not been invited to Team Finland's camp. I would expect that to change. It would seem to me that if Finland can find 3 or 4 junior goaltenders better than Riku... I would be very surprised. If that is indeed true, what a nice break for the Thunderbirds as they would be able to keep both of their two goaltenders throughout the holiday season, something that is desperately needed considering the number of shots being surrendered.
Interesting to note that as of this moment Riku Helenius has not been invited to Team Finland's camp. I would expect that to change. It would seem to me that if Finland can find 3 or 4 junior goaltenders better than Riku... I would be very surprised. If that is indeed true, what a nice break for the Thunderbirds as they would be able to keep both of their two goaltenders throughout the holiday season, something that is desperately needed considering the number of shots being surrendered.
Seattle loses in Overtime
Tbirds lose in Overtime tonight. A terribly disappointing loss for Seattle as they held the 2-0 lead in the 2nd period only to allow the Ams to tie the game at 2-2 in the 3rd and win the game on an Overtime Power Play 1:47 into the extra frame.
Josh Schappert got Seattle on the board in the 1st period redirecting a Jan Eberle pass into the American net for the 1-0 lead. Greg Scott got the second assist on the goal.
Scott then gave the Tbirds a 2-0 lead when Lindsey Nielsen won the faceoff towards the left hashmark where Scott ripped a wrister over the glove of TC goaltender Chet Pickard.
But the Americans cut the lead in half on a goal by TJ Fast with just over 4 minutes remaining in the game... and Colton Yellowhorn was able to tie the game on a 5-3 Power Play goal just 3 minutes into the 3rd period.
The game went to OT with Seattle getting outshot again 36-22. Kruise Reddick then tipped a TJ Fast shot past Helenius at 1:47 of the Overtime period for the win. Coach Rob Sumner was assessed a Game Misconduct following the game winning goal. This has been the story far too many times for Seattle this season, as they have been regularly giving up 30+ shots in their losses. Goaltender Riku Helenius was busy again tonight finishing with 34 saves on 37 shots.
Seattle heads to Portland Friday night before returning to Seattle to face the Winterhawks on Saturday, followed by the Chilliwack Bruins on Sunday evening.
Josh Schappert got Seattle on the board in the 1st period redirecting a Jan Eberle pass into the American net for the 1-0 lead. Greg Scott got the second assist on the goal.
Scott then gave the Tbirds a 2-0 lead when Lindsey Nielsen won the faceoff towards the left hashmark where Scott ripped a wrister over the glove of TC goaltender Chet Pickard.
But the Americans cut the lead in half on a goal by TJ Fast with just over 4 minutes remaining in the game... and Colton Yellowhorn was able to tie the game on a 5-3 Power Play goal just 3 minutes into the 3rd period.
The game went to OT with Seattle getting outshot again 36-22. Kruise Reddick then tipped a TJ Fast shot past Helenius at 1:47 of the Overtime period for the win. Coach Rob Sumner was assessed a Game Misconduct following the game winning goal. This has been the story far too many times for Seattle this season, as they have been regularly giving up 30+ shots in their losses. Goaltender Riku Helenius was busy again tonight finishing with 34 saves on 37 shots.
Seattle heads to Portland Friday night before returning to Seattle to face the Winterhawks on Saturday, followed by the Chilliwack Bruins on Sunday evening.
12.04.2007
Bryan Bridges update
About three weeks ago Bridges (still currently the WHL Shutouts record holder) was signed by the Colorado Eagles of the CHL http://coloradoeagles.com/news/headlines/index.html?article_id=872. Bridges has been practicing with the team but has yet to appear in a game due to Visa issues.
I don't know much about how the Visa process works, but I wonder how long it will be until he is cleared to play.
Colorado is the defending Ray Miron President's Cup champion in the CHL.
I don't know much about how the Visa process works, but I wonder how long it will be until he is cleared to play.
Colorado is the defending Ray Miron President's Cup champion in the CHL.
12.03.2007
Monday Morning Stats Check
Before Seattle hosts Tri-City tomorrow night.... let's get an update on a bunch of stats after 26 games.
Record: 11-10-5, 27 pts, .519. 4th in U.S. Division, 8th in Western Conference.
Home: 7-2-3, 17 pts, .708, 40 Goals For - 32 Goals Against
Away: 4-8-2, 10 pts, .357, 24 Goals For - 38 Goals Against
Overtime Games: 1 Shootout win, 1 Shootout loss, 4 Overtime losses
Power Play: 20/166, 12.0%, 21st in the WHL
Penalty Killing: 51/60, 85.0%, 8th in the WHL
Penalty Minutes: 463 PIM's in 26 games, 17.8 PIM's per game, 15th in the WHL. 6 Bench minor minutes. (note: Everett leads the league with 16 bench minor minutes)
Longest Streaks:
Wins - 2
Undefeated - 2
Losses - 2
Winless - 2 (yawn)
Record: 11-10-5, 27 pts, .519. 4th in U.S. Division, 8th in Western Conference.
Home: 7-2-3, 17 pts, .708, 40 Goals For - 32 Goals Against
Away: 4-8-2, 10 pts, .357, 24 Goals For - 38 Goals Against
Overtime Games: 1 Shootout win, 1 Shootout loss, 4 Overtime losses
Power Play: 20/166, 12.0%, 21st in the WHL
Penalty Killing: 51/60, 85.0%, 8th in the WHL
Penalty Minutes: 463 PIM's in 26 games, 17.8 PIM's per game, 15th in the WHL. 6 Bench minor minutes. (note: Everett leads the league with 16 bench minor minutes)
Longest Streaks:
Wins - 2
Undefeated - 2
Losses - 2
Winless - 2 (yawn)
12.02.2007
Seattle at Tri-City Recap
I honestly missed this entire game due to a holiday party so I can't give you much of an opinion. I think one thing we know from this game is that Tri-City is better than Everett at home and has a lot more scoring power.
I will point towards the Seattle website for a recap of the game. http://www.seattlethunderbirds.com/news/news.php?id=565
I will point towards the Seattle website for a recap of the game. http://www.seattlethunderbirds.com/news/news.php?id=565
12.01.2007
Beach...
I'm sure many of you read that Kyle Beach was a healthy scratch last night for "internal" disciplinary reasons. One can only guess what that means...
11.30.2007
Cowbells? I got your Cowbell right here buddy...
and that is exactly what the Tbirds said to Everett tonight as they go into the Comcast Arena and pick up a big 2-1 victory over the Silvertips.
Not the most impressive victory of all time for Seattle but considering the circumstances and the fact that Everett handed out some 1,000 additional cowbells for tonight's game, it was a very good win for this club.
I know a lot of people have issues with Scott Jackson... but I honestly can't figure out why. Jackson returns tonight and not only scores the game winner but helps hold Everett to only 18 shots and a 2-1 victory. Coincidence? I honestly don't think so... I'm not sure why everyone keeps waiting for the offense of Thomas Hickey to come pouring out of the stick of Scott Jackson. He is a blueline, stay at home, solidly physical defensemen.
Coaches say that the best penalty killer is their goaltender and I think a great example of that was tonight's game. Riku Helenius was only asked to make 11 saves tonight (a really light night by his usual standards) but was able to make several huge saves in the last 5 minutes of the game when Everett had a couple of Power Play opportunities.
No Kyle Beach tonight and that obviously makes a big difference for Everett... I didn't hear exactly why and I'll try to find out.
Three Stars in the building:
1. Scott Jackson
2. Shane Harper
3. Bud Holloway
Seattle moves to 11-9-5 with their 3rd win in a row and pulls to within 3 points of Everett with 4 games in hand. On a percentage basis the Thunderbirds move into 5th place in the Conference, which just shows how a winning streak can move you up the ladder quickly. By points they are sill in 8th... so they need to continue earning points in order to take advantage of the games in hand.
Not the most impressive victory of all time for Seattle but considering the circumstances and the fact that Everett handed out some 1,000 additional cowbells for tonight's game, it was a very good win for this club.
I know a lot of people have issues with Scott Jackson... but I honestly can't figure out why. Jackson returns tonight and not only scores the game winner but helps hold Everett to only 18 shots and a 2-1 victory. Coincidence? I honestly don't think so... I'm not sure why everyone keeps waiting for the offense of Thomas Hickey to come pouring out of the stick of Scott Jackson. He is a blueline, stay at home, solidly physical defensemen.
Coaches say that the best penalty killer is their goaltender and I think a great example of that was tonight's game. Riku Helenius was only asked to make 11 saves tonight (a really light night by his usual standards) but was able to make several huge saves in the last 5 minutes of the game when Everett had a couple of Power Play opportunities.
No Kyle Beach tonight and that obviously makes a big difference for Everett... I didn't hear exactly why and I'll try to find out.
Three Stars in the building:
1. Scott Jackson
2. Shane Harper
3. Bud Holloway
Seattle moves to 11-9-5 with their 3rd win in a row and pulls to within 3 points of Everett with 4 games in hand. On a percentage basis the Thunderbirds move into 5th place in the Conference, which just shows how a winning streak can move you up the ladder quickly. By points they are sill in 8th... so they need to continue earning points in order to take advantage of the games in hand.
Panchyson update
The WHL has an "X" by Panchyson's name in the team statistics and that designation is usually reserved for players who are no longer on the active roster as Brad Bakken and Andre Herman also both have the "X" by their names.
One would have to say that is as close to confirmation that we will get on Panchyson since Seattle has (in my opinion) a horrible habit of not releasing any information about these sort of things.
One would have to say that is as close to confirmation that we will get on Panchyson since Seattle has (in my opinion) a horrible habit of not releasing any information about these sort of things.
Seattle at Everett Preview
Just a short preview tonight. Seattle goes for its second win in a row over the Silvertips tonight. It will be a tall order coming up with a win in the Comcast Arena tonight (the cable box) as Everett has decided to hand out a few thousand "extra" cowbells tonight before the game.
As in most Seattle games this year the outcome will likely come down to shots on goal and the special teams units.
Everett is surprisingly not great on the Power Play at home, something that has been their trademark in the past several years. Everett ranks 12th on the PP at home (certainly not horrible) scoring 17 times in 90 chances (18.9%). That does rank in the top 7 in PP chances at home. Seattle must stay out of the penalty box tonight in order to win.
Seattle is horrible on the PP in opposing teams buildings ranking 20th in the league going 7 for 75 (9.3%). This fact is pretty much a non-factor in the ball game unless Seattle manages a couple of PP goals, which should signal a win.
In addition, Everett is excellent at killing the PP while at home having surrendered only 10 power play goals in 80 chances (87.5%). I wouldn't expect much from the Seattle PP tonight.
Seattle ranks 9th in killing penalties on the road having surrendered 12 goals in 69 chances on the road (82.6%). These numbers have slipped since Scott Jackson was injured, seeing Seattle fall from the top 3 in overall Penalty Kill to 8th in the WHL.
-Jackson is a hot button issue for a lot of fans, but the fact is that this team has not played well since he went down with the high ankle sprain. Signs have pointed to Jackson returning for tonight's game and Todd Panchyson being released. However... Seattle has not issued any kind of press release and as I am writing this Panchyson is still listed on the Seattle roster.
-Who starts in goal tonight for Seattle?? Well I guess that might be up in the air. I would expect the older Helenius to be back in net for Seattle, but Jacob DeSerres has been very good lately and beat Everett in the shootout last weekend in Seattle. My guess... is still Helenius.
-Seattle is lead by Bud Holloway who has taken over the team lead in points with 10 goals, 11 assists and a +3. Thomas Hickey is 2nd on the team with 7 goals, 11 assists and a +5.
-Everett is lead by Kyle Beach who has 19 goals, 20 assists, a -4 rating and 99 PIM's. Zach Hamill also has 10 goals, 21 assists and a -6 rating.
-Everett is expected to get Dane Crowley and Dan Gendur back for the game as well. Everett is likely to have Shayne Barrie in goal with Leland Irving returning from the Canada-Russia Challenge game.
As in most Seattle games this year the outcome will likely come down to shots on goal and the special teams units.
Everett is surprisingly not great on the Power Play at home, something that has been their trademark in the past several years. Everett ranks 12th on the PP at home (certainly not horrible) scoring 17 times in 90 chances (18.9%). That does rank in the top 7 in PP chances at home. Seattle must stay out of the penalty box tonight in order to win.
Seattle is horrible on the PP in opposing teams buildings ranking 20th in the league going 7 for 75 (9.3%). This fact is pretty much a non-factor in the ball game unless Seattle manages a couple of PP goals, which should signal a win.
In addition, Everett is excellent at killing the PP while at home having surrendered only 10 power play goals in 80 chances (87.5%). I wouldn't expect much from the Seattle PP tonight.
Seattle ranks 9th in killing penalties on the road having surrendered 12 goals in 69 chances on the road (82.6%). These numbers have slipped since Scott Jackson was injured, seeing Seattle fall from the top 3 in overall Penalty Kill to 8th in the WHL.
-Jackson is a hot button issue for a lot of fans, but the fact is that this team has not played well since he went down with the high ankle sprain. Signs have pointed to Jackson returning for tonight's game and Todd Panchyson being released. However... Seattle has not issued any kind of press release and as I am writing this Panchyson is still listed on the Seattle roster.
-Who starts in goal tonight for Seattle?? Well I guess that might be up in the air. I would expect the older Helenius to be back in net for Seattle, but Jacob DeSerres has been very good lately and beat Everett in the shootout last weekend in Seattle. My guess... is still Helenius.
-Seattle is lead by Bud Holloway who has taken over the team lead in points with 10 goals, 11 assists and a +3. Thomas Hickey is 2nd on the team with 7 goals, 11 assists and a +5.
-Everett is lead by Kyle Beach who has 19 goals, 20 assists, a -4 rating and 99 PIM's. Zach Hamill also has 10 goals, 21 assists and a -6 rating.
-Everett is expected to get Dane Crowley and Dan Gendur back for the game as well. Everett is likely to have Shayne Barrie in goal with Leland Irving returning from the Canada-Russia Challenge game.
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