Thunderbirds Down Rival Portland Winterhawks

By Korz206

The Seaattle Thunderbirds (9-11-0-0) defeat the Portland Winterhawks (14-8-1-1) tonight in front of a nearly sold out crowd at the ShoWare Center. The electrifying crowd witnessed a 6-3 win versus the hated I-5 rival. Scoring opened in the first period with Portland's Wells (4), but just moments later, a break away equalizer by Tbird Chance Lund, his 6th of the season. Beginning the 2nd period, the Thunderbirds had a 5-3 man advantage, capitolizing was Gallimore with his 9th goal. The Thundrbirds were electric the 2nd period, scoring 5 goals in total, from Lockhart (4), Sutter (3), Gallimore (9,10), and Theodore (1).

Thunderbirds make a real statement this weekend by taking two games from the top teams in the U.S. Division. Tbirds secure 4 points and are starting a win streak soon to grow bigger with the confidence rising of the young Tbirds. With Regina coming into town, the Tbirds have a high chance of making up some ground in the standings.

Calvin Pickard had another solid night in goal. Most of the night he was on either sides of his body or laying on the ice. Like I wrote in "Light at the End of the Tunnel", if Picks plays to his potential, the Tbirds are a playoff team. These last two home games have proved this. The Thunderbirds excuses losing to teams because they are "better teams" are over. They have proved they can play with the big boys and need to insert their dominance on the bottom dwellers and mediocre teams in the WHL.

Funny Sight- At the game tonight, as the two teams were leaving the ice, the Thunderbirds Zamboni driver got into a little skirmish with the Winterhawks assistant coaches. We almost had a fight after the game!

Next Game: Thunderbirds take on the Regina Pats (12-8-1-1) on Wednesday (11/23/11) at the Sho Ware Center in Kent.

Fun Fact: With tonight's win over Portland, the Tbirds snap a losing streak dating back to the beginning of last season vs the Winterhawks.