T-Birds Can’t Claw Past Tigers
MEDICINE HAT, Alta. –The depleted Seattle Thunderbird came up short in their comeback bid and fell, 6-3, to the Medicine Hat Tigers Saturday at Co-Op Place. With the loss Seattle ends their six-game road trip through the Central Division with a 3-3 record. The Thunderbirds head home to play Friday, November 3rd against the Spokane Chiefs. Game time at the accesso ShoWare Center is 7:05 p.m.
Because of injuries and a suspension Seattle played the game with only sixteen available skaters. It was the second straight game the T-Birds played with a short bench. “We played hard, we competed,” said head coach Matt O’Dette. “As coaches we’re extremely proud of that effort, based on the circumstances. A lot of teams would fold up the tent. We did not do that. We battled ‘til the very end.”
The Thunderbirds fell behind 2-0 in the first period, giving up goals just over a minute apart, including a shorthanded goal. “There are mistakes we have to clean up,” explained O’Dette. “They’re a team that has quick strike capabilities and can beat you with the big play. There were a few of those tonight.”
The T-birds got one back with a Luca Hauf goal fifteen seconds into period two. The Tigers responded with a goal at 11:59.
Seattle (7-4-0-0) kept the game close, trailing just 3-1 going into the third period, but a Medicine Hat goal just over four minutes into the final frame seemed to put the game out of reach. The Thunderbirds had different ideas.
Antonio Martorana popped in his firth of the season less than two minutes later to close the deficit to 4-2. Twenty-six seconds after that goal, Coster Dunn scored on a breakaway to pull the T-Birds within one at 4-3.
“The identity of the T-Birds was on display,” remarked O’Dette of his team’s comeback attempt. “We’ll live with the result if the effort and compete are there. You put that type of effort in, you’re going to win more games than you lose.”
Seattle continued to press for the equalizer, but the Tigers got a goal with just over four minutes left to pull ahead 5-3, then added an empty net goal in the waning moments to close it out.
Seattle has lost three in a row but O’Dette thinks there is a silver lining. “Looking at the last two games, there was some high character compete to finish off the road trip,” he said. “Even with this bit of adversity there have been big signs of growth in certain areas that we can build upon. We’re going to get guys back healthy, and our younger guys have sped up their development.”
T-BIRDS EXTRAS
Jeremy Hanzel served a one game suspension imposed by the WHL after he was given a five-minute checking-from-behind major penalty in the third period of Friday’s loss in Swift Current. He joined Jordan Gustafson, Nico Myatovic, Gracyn Sawchyn and Owen Boucher on the sideline. Each of those four players is out with an injury.
Seattle went 0-for-3 on the power play but did not commit a penalty on the night, keeping the Tigers potent power play off the ice. As a result Seattle remains number one in the WHL on the penalty kill.
Spencer Michnik suffered his first loss in goal as a Thunderbird. Despite that his coach had high praise for his performance. “He’s been playing really well for us,” commented O’Dette of his rookie goalie. “They’re a high quality, high scoring chance team. They get their fast break opportunities and Michy made some big saves to keep us in it.”
Prior to the home game on November 3rd, the T-Birds will retire the number 12 in honor of Patrick Marleau. Marleau played for the Thunderbirds from 1995-97, leading them to the 1997 WHL Championship Series. He was selected second overall in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft by the San Jose Sharks. He holds the NHL record for most regular season games played at 1,779.
Boxscore: Seattle Thunderbirds at Medicine Hat Tigers – Saturday, October 28, 2023 (chl.ca)
