GAME DAY! Tips Back Home, Host Seattle (9.17)

PRESEASON: SILVERTIPS (2-3-0-1) at THUNDERBIRDS (4-2-0-0)

TIME: 7:05 p.m.

SITE: XFINITY Arena

TICKETS: In person only – $13 (Silvertips offices), $14 (at the door) – open seating

TWITTER: @WHLSilvertips

LIVE UPDATES: TIPS MOBILE on iTunes  /  Android Market

TV: None  |  RADIO: None (broadcasts return Sept. 23)

THIS PRESEASON: This marks the third and final meeting between the Silvertips and Thunderbirds in preseason play. The Silvertips dropped a 3-2 shootout defeat to the Thunderbirds in the road finale last night at ShoWare Center. Lucas Skrumeda and Riley Sutter scored for the Silvertips, both earning power play goals.

BIG STORY: It’s the final tune-up for both teams before the regular season arrives, starting in just six days. Like last night, opportunity also delivers more ice time for key players needing one last optimal dress rehearsal. The Silvertips will be without Eetu Tuulola (Calgary) and Noah Juulsen (Montreal), and goaltender Carter Hart (Philadelphia), all with their respective teams in NHL training camp.

Seattle is already without last year’s leading scorer Mathew Barzal (New York Islanders), and is missing Keegan Kolesar (Columbus), Ethan Bear (Edmonton), Turner Ottenbreit (Seattle) and Scott Eansor (Montreal), all selected to participate in NHL rookie or training camps.

SCOPE: SILVERTIPS

A quartet of young and grizzled Silvertips lead the club in preseason scoring with four points – Connor Dewar, Lucas Skrumeda, Graham Millar and Devon Skoleski – Dewar leads the Silvertips with four goals in preseason play. Lasse Petersen, acquired in a trade during the offseason from Spokane, patched a 21 save effort in last night’s game. Mario Petit has been in net for both Silvertips preseason wins.

The Silvertips currently hold the top penalty kill in the WHL this preseason, tightening the screws at 87.5 percent in six games.

SCOPE: THUNDERBIRDS

A pair of Thunderbirds lead the way in preseason with five points apiece – returning import Alexander True and forward Nolan Volcan. Nic Holowko, who spent time last season on Seattle’s top line, was also a part of the mix with four points in four games before a trade on Thursday sent him to the Prince Albert Raiders for forward Layne Bensmmiller. The Thunderbirds have been active for three consecutive days on the trade block, acquiring 20-year old goalie Rylan Toth yesterday from Red Deer and today adding defenseman Anthony Bishop from Saskatoon in exchange for goalie Logan Flodell.

Import Sami Moilanen scored both of Seattle goals last night in regulation, his first pair of the preseason.