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REFLECTIONS: Thunderbirds take 1-0 lead over Silvertips

Published 12:30 am Saturday, April 8, 2017

By Jesse Geleynse Herald Writer

The Game

The Seattle Thunderbirds never trailed and they answered a late goal by Everett’s Aaron Irving with a backbreaker from Donovan Neuls less than a minute later with less than a minute to play:

It takes four to win a series. The Tips won Game 1 last year at ShoWare Center, so this series is far from over. Still, this was the first time Seattle has won in regulation at Xfinity Arena this season, while Everett didn’t win at ShoWare at all.

The Thunderbirds are one of the few teams that can match the compete level of the Silvertips, and are also a very good defensive team. Seattle’s forecheck was on display throughout Friday’s game particularly in the first period when the T-Birds outshot the Tips 12-2.

“Vic(toria) and Seattle’s forechecks are a lot different,” Tips forward Matt Fonteyne said. “Vic was more sit back and wait for you to make a mistake and then they jump on the rush. Seattle is more (about) creating turnovers with their energy and their physicality. I think that’s the way they play and that’s the way it’s going to be all series. We just need to focus on the forecheck and find a way to beat it.”

Seattle scored on its second power play when Mathew Barzal did Mathew Barzal things to beat Team Canada teammate Carter Hart in the second:

Speaking of Barzal, he was back for the first time since March 8 and also set up the game-winning goal to finish with two points. Seattle was 1-for-2 on the power play while Everett was 0-for-2. That could be big in this series as the Tips lived and died by the power play during the first four games of the Victoria series.

Carter Hart and Carl Stankowski were each excellent in net. As head coach Kevin Constantine noted afterward, Hart always gives the Tips a chance.

Seattle possesses more size than Everett, partly by being older and partly due to the makeup of the roster.

“We knew going in that they’re big team,” Fonteyne said. “They like to hit and throw their bodies around so I think we just need to be ready for that. We need to throw our bodies around as well. It’s going to be a battle whole the whole series so I think that’s what we have to do. We have to throw our weight around as well.”

The Turning Point

The T-Birds answered Everett’s tying goal on the very next shift with less than a minute to play in the game.

Three Stars

1. Seattle F Alexander True: The Dane had two assists.

2. Everett G Carter Hart: The netminder saved 30 of the 33 shots he faced.

3. Seattle F Tyler Adams: Adams broke a 1-1 tie in the second.

Honorable mention: Everett D Aaron Irving (one goal), Everett F Eetu Tuulola (one goal), Seattle G Carl Stankowski (21 saves on 23 shots), Seattle F Mathew Barzal (one goal, one assist), Seattle F Donovan Neuls (GWG, one assist).

The Box Score

Bonus

Courtesy of colleague Andy Eide has the view from the other side.

Also here are gifs of Everett’s goals:

For the latest Silvertips news follow Jesse Geleynse on Twitter.

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