More thoughts on Game 3

The Tbirds really have their backs up against the wall tonight in Game 4 after an effort in Game 3 that just wasn't playoff quality.

Don't pay any attention to the close 3-2 score. This was a game that was mostly dominated by the Americans and only an incredible 18 save 2nd period by Riku Helenius and two outstanding goals by Jim O'Brien kept Seattle in the game.

Helenius was outstanding, especially in the 2nd period when Seattle was able to tie the game at 2-2 on O'Brien's 2nd goal. I bet though, he would love to have the GWG back as a backhand fluttering goal found its way under his glove and into the back of the net. It was a shot by Taylor Procyshen that he got only partially and it handcuffed Riku, who I imagine thought the shot would come in higher.

Seattle was 0/9 on the Power Play and as much as I hate it when fans yell "shooooot" when the boys are on the Power Play, in this case they were right. A 5-3 Seattle enjoyed in the 2nd period netted only 1 shot on goal and ended with only 24 for the game and never more than 9 in a period.

Seattle also gave up a PP goal early in the first after taking a 1-0 lead when Eddie Friesen (just called up) was hit with an interference penalty. Tough situation for the kid, but you just can't make mistakes like that in playoff games, especially when you just joined the team.

Helenius would probably also like to have the Americans second goal back, as Adam Hughesman poked in a puck at the near post from behind the net while the goal light went off and both referees looked at each other dumbfounded. After a short review, the goal was awarded and Seattle trailed 2-1. The goal was also a PP goal and Tri-City was 2/5 with the man advantage.

So.... Seattle is up against the wall facing a must win game tonight and they will certainly be without the services of captain Thomas Hickey again.

I'm all but certain that Hickey is out again tonight but it is the playoffs and it is a must win game so I suppose anything is possible.

I have a bad feeling that this playoff series is starting to look like the series last year against Vancouver and I think Seattle goes down in Games 4 and 5 and lose the series 4-1.

Prove me wrong boys... I'd love to be wrong about that prediction.

Tbirds lose Game 3, fall behind 2 games to 1

Riku Helenius did everything he could tonight to keep Seattle in it but eventually fell to Tri-City 3-2 tonight.

Not Seattle's best effort and I will will have some more additional thoughts tomorrow.

Hickey Out for Game 3

Rob Sumner and Bud Holloway were on 99.9 KISW this morning and Rob stated that Thomas will not play tonight.

The way he phrased it... my guess is that he will be out for Game 4 as well but that is just a guess.

Hickey held out, Tbirds lose Game 2

Thomas Hickey was "held out", even though he the team said he was cleared to play. You have to wonder how healthy Thomas really is if they held him out of a playoff game for precautionary reasons.

So while their captain sat out, Tri-City converted on 4 of their Power Play chances and shutout the Tbirds 4-0.

The series is now tied at 1-1 and shifts back to Seattle for Games 3 and 4 on Tuesday and Wednesday night at Key Arena.

Game 3 Comment Thread

Seattle goes for the huge 2-0 series lead tonight.

I would expect Tri-City to come out on fire and give their absolute best effort in tonight's game to ensure they head to Seattle even in the series.

Reports on Hickey is that he will be fine and in the lineup tonight.

Game 1 Comment Thread

Check out Alan Caldwell's preview of the series right here.

Comment on Game 1 as you wish.

Great 1st period by the Tbirds.... Americans took back to back penalties around the middle of the period and although Seattle failed to score on the 5-3 it really took the momentum away from the Americans and Ian McKenzie got his first of two shortly after the penalties expired.

Seattle must match this intensity and effort for the next two periods and they just might steal Game 1 in the series.

Hickey is helped off the ice with what looked like a leg injury while receiving a penalty. The penalty call looked ridiculous to me... but then no penalty was called as Holloway created a breakaway and scored shorthanded to give the Tbirds a 3-0 lead.

Tbirds with another great period and Tri-City is frustrated as Seattle leads 4-1.

Seattle just scored two more on goals from Scott Jackson and Lindsay Nielsen and the Tbirds have chased Chet Pickard.

Seattle dominates tonight and wins 7-1 over the frustrated Americans.

Seattle penalty kills their way into the 2nd round...

Tbirds survive and advance tonight... but that makes it sound as if they didn't play well. Seattle looked like the better team tonight in winning 4-2 over a gritty Kelowna team that would not quit and made them work for 59:30 of Game 7.

Seattle was a perfect 8/8 killing penalties in the game including a critical 5-3 in the 2nd period and a 4 minute double minor to Brendon Dillon in a critical portion of the 3rd period. They also got the eventual game winner from Lindsay Nielsen shorthanded in the 2nd period.

I know a lot of Tbirds fans were not very happy with the officiating in this game, but I personally didn't have a problem with many of the calls that were made. I, along with coach Rob Sumner, didn't really see or seem to understand the too many men on the ice call in the 2nd period, but one was promptly called on the Rockets about 3 minutes later.

Seattle got goals from Bud Holloway and Ian McKenzie in the 1st period but again surrendered a goal at the end of a period as Brady Leavold scored with just 5 seconds left cutting the Tbird margin from what would have been 2 to 1.

Riku Helenius was at his best in this game facing 33 shots and making 31 saves including a handful of very good and/or game saving saves.

So Seattle wins the series 4-3 and what a great close and tight series it was. Hats off to all of the Rockets for pushing Seattle about as far as they could go without taking the series.

Seattle now opens up Round 2 of the playoffs in Kennewick on Friday night to take on the Americans, the #1 team in all of the WHL.

Let's Go Birds Three Stars of the Game:

1. Riku Helenius - 31 Saves
2. Bud Holloway - 1 goal and created and assisted the GWG
3. Jamie Benn - Gave his team everything he had with 1 goal and 1 assist

Honorable Mention - Lindsay Nielsen with the SH GWG

In the Arena:

1. Helenius
2. Holloway
3. Nielsen

Nice Tbirds Article...

by a fellow Blogger/Writer about some of the history involved with hockey being played in Key Arena/Coliseum.

Can be found here

Holloway named WHL Player of the Month

Bud Holloway was announced as the WHL Player of the Month.

Thunderbirds Press Release can be found here

WHL Story to be found here

Game 7 is Tonight!

Tonight is for all the marbles... well ok, not really. The WHL or Memorial Cup is not on the line tonight, but the opportunity to play for those things is.

Seattle must win tonight to extend their season in a building where they lost only 6 times in regulation this year but is only 1-2 so far in this series. This game at home is the reward for all the hard work the team put in down the stretch to catch and overtake Kelowna and Everett in the standings.

As I stated a few days ago... tonight could possibly be the last game for Scott Jackson, Benn Olson and Ian McKenzie. I expect those three guys to lead the way tonight.

Regan Bartel is reporting that the officials assigned to tonight's only WHL game is Andy Thiessen and Derek Herman which will likely mean that the game will be decided by the players. Credit to the WHL for assigning a really good crew for tonight's game 7.

The Tbirds MUST find a way to create space to use their speed and not allow Kelowna to clog things up at the blue line. This team has shown that when they are ready to play they are capable of dominating Kelowna... I would be very surprised and disappointed if that team didn't show up tonight.