By Mike Caccioppoli

(20-34-1-1) Seattle Thunderbirds 4, (24-25-3-5) Kelowna Rockets 3

It feels great especially after losing eight in a row. We have confidence. Coach just said the other day that we have to figure it out now or never. We don't want to be there with two games left and hoping for a playoff spot, we want to be there now...Connor Honey

They scored the first goal, we kept going. Special teams were huge. If they get that second goal on the power play it could be a different situation. We get a power play goal and are right back in the game. We came out the right way. I would have liked to see a little more..it seems like we relaxed a little bit at times instead of just bearing down all the way through...Head Coach Steve Konowalchuk

 

KENT- They certainly don't come easy for the Thunderbirds these days and Tuesday nights tilt against the Rockets was no different as a two goal Seattle lead evaporated when a penalty shot goal with 53 seconds left sent the game into overtime.

Seattle leads the league in winning percentage in the shootout and they increased that lead when Colin Jacobs and Connor Honey scored while Calvin Pickard stopped both shooters. With the win the Birds break an eight game home losing streak.

 

The Rockets got a quick 1-0 lead when a failure to clear out the puck resulted in a somewhat controversial goal as the puck was batted out of the air and into the net by Carter Rigby (17) at 1:34 of the first period.

Seattle tied it on the power play at 8:34. Branden Troock scored his 12th goal of the season. A flurry in front of the net that resulted in four shots on goal ended with Troock beating Jordon Cooke. Braeden Laroque got the assist.

Burke Gallimore scored a four on four goal to give the Birds a 2-1 lead. He had lost the puck in the offensive zone but recovered it and broke in and put it top left corner to notch his 19th goal of the season. The unassisted goal was scored at 12:26.

The Birds continued to control play and a giveaway in front of Cooke allowed Justin Hickman to net his 11th goal of the season and put Seattle up 3-1 at 17:40. Jacob Doty and Tyler Alos had the assists.

Probably the best first period the Birds have had in a long time. Along with the 3-1 lead they also outshot Kelowna 11-7.

The Birds came out a bit sloppy in the second period and after not registering any shots on a power play chance the Rockets made it a 3-2 game whenZach Franko notched his 8th goal of the season at 5:50.

After 40 minutes the Birds had a 3-2 edge and were outshooting the Rockets 19-17.

Kelowna got a power play opportunity with 1:41 left in the third period and with 53 seconds left they were awarded a penalty shot when the refs ruled that the net was intentionally knocked off its moorings.

Myles Bell (12) beat Calvin Pickard to tie the game 3-3 and the game would end up going to overtime.

No scoring in OT so the game went to the shootout.

The Birds win 4-3 with Colin Jacobs and Connor Honey scoring and Pickard stopping both Kelowna shooters.

 

Post game Q and A with Connor Honey:

MC: How does it feel to know that if you score (in the shootout) you will win the game?

CH: It felt pretty good. I wanted to make it really simple. I don't have the hands like Colin (Jacobs). I just wanted to win one for the team. Thanks to the coach for giving me the opportunity.

MC: Were you thinking about how you were going to beat him?

CH: I was thinking backhand roof from the get go but he's a small goalie and quick so I decided to get him on his knees and go backhand. I got a little lucky on that but it happens.

MC: Were you guys a little down after that penalty shot goal?

CH: Oh heck yeah. That was frustrating especially when we have a minute left and you think we are going to win it but we battled through adversity and that's just one of the wins we need to have going through the stretch here.

MC: Did the coach say anything after the third period?

CH: He said 'just relax boys relax'. We just needed to battle through it.

MC: Does it feel good to get a win at home?

CH: It feels great especially after losing eight in a row. We have confidence. Coach just said the other day that we have to figure it out now or never. We don't want to be there with two games left and hoping for a playoff spot, we want to be there now.

 

Post game Q and A with Head Coach Steve Konowalchuk:

MC: How does it feel to get that first home win of 2012?

SK: It feels good. Harder than it had to be. We were going ok until the penalty (with 1:41 left).

MC: Probably one of the better first periods the team has had recently.

SK: It was good. They scored the first goal, we kept going. Special teams was huge. If they get that second goal on the power play it could be a different situation. We get a power play goal and are right back in the game. We came out the right way. I would have liked to see a little more..it seems like we relaxed a little bit at times instead of just bearing down all the way through.

MC: It seemed like you guys came out a bit flat in the second period. There were several icing calls early and then a power play chance with no shots and then they scored.

SK: I thought the first half of the second period we were a bit..inexperienced with that killer instinct. You can't let up for one second. If we get a goal on that power play we can go up 4-1.

MC: You can say these two teams are pretty evenly matched and all four games against them were close games.

SK: They've all been good games. The scoring has been pretty even. They don't quit. I liked a lot of things tonight. You have to win to learn how to win too.

MC: Is it frustrating that you watch the first 18:30 of the third period and the refs don't call anything then they decide to call a penalty and a penalty shot at the end?

SK: We deserved the penalty with 1:41 left. The penalty shot doesn't even frustrate me. But if you are going to call those then you have to call the trip on Gallimore in overtime. We should have had a four on three power play there.

MC: How do you make the decision on who goes in the shootout?

SK: You watch in practice and it's some of that and also a gut feeling.

MC: You are top in the league in winning percentage in the shootout.

SK: Well when you have Picks back there, he's good in the shootout and we have some guys that can score too.

MC: You see the special teams coming around now?

SK: I do. It's going to be a big part. We have to be tight five on five but special teams will have to keep pitching in.

MC: How do you take this momentum into Friday against Tri?

SK: It will take itself. We should be a little more relaxed and confident and we'll take it from there.

 

Plus side:

A home win! After eight straight losses on home ice the Birds get their first win in 2012 at the ShoWare Center.

Out of the gates strong. Something that has been an issue for Seattle this season. Tonight they have a solid opening 20 minutes and they needed it to get the two points.

Controlling play. Certainly wasn't the case for 60 minutes but the Birds were able to control play for stretches and cut down on their D zone issues for the most part.

More Honey. Quickly becoming a fan favorite Connor gets the game winner in the shootout after another solid effort all night. In fact the younger guys had a rebound game after the previous two losses.

Calvin in the shootout. Pickard is now 6-1 in the shootout after winning his last five. He hasn't allowed one goal in those five wins.

 

Minus side:

No killer instinct. Up 3-1 the Birds allow Kelowna to eventually tie the game. After scoring three goals in the first period Seattle doesn't score again until the shootout. They need to learn how to finish off a team when they are down. Almost seemed like they thought they had the game won after 20 minutes. Kelowna was without several key players as well.

Bad penalties. I'm going to get to the officiating shortly but the penalty with 1:41 left was a bad one for Jacobs to take. He's done that more than once late in a game or in overtime. It almost cost them the game tonight.

Officiating. That penalty shot might not have disturbed Konowalchuk but I thought it was a bogus call by Sean Raphael. You have two teams that are playing a hard fought game then you decide to interject yourself and a give a team a chance to tie the game on a penalty shot because you think the net was purposely knocked off. That was at least the third time in the game the net was knocked off..why was it intentional this time? The Rockets were already on the power play so let them try to tie it themselves. The fans came to see two teams play a hard, tough game not to watch Raphael make a bad call and try to become the story.

 

Game Notes:

-F Connor Sanvido, D Jared Hauf and D Evan Wardley were healthy scratches.

-The Birds improve to 11-16-0-1 at home. They finish 3-1 against Kelowna (1-1 home, 2-0 road).

-Calvin Pickard improves to 20-29-1-1. Jordon Cooke falls to 6-6-2-3.

 

Thunderbirds second half record: 7-17-1.

 

PLAYOFF CHASE:

7. Seattle...win tonight..(20 wins..42 points..16 games left)

8. Victoria..no game..(17 wins..40 points..16 games left)

9. Everett..no game..(15 wins..39 points...16 games left)

10. Prince George..no game..(17 wins..36 points..18 games left)

 

710Sports.com three stars:

First star: Branden Troock (power play goal)

Second star: Justin Hickman (goal, +1 rating)

Third star: Madison Bowey (assist, + 2 rating)

 

The Thunderbirds play Friday night at the ShoWare Center against the Tri-City Americans. Game time is 7:35 pm and the action can be heard live at 710Sports.com.

 

Game summary is on the WHL website.

 

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mike.caccioppoli@yahoo.com