Thursday, May 17, 2012 @ 11:23am
710Sports.com seeking Thunderbirds blogger
We're looking for an experienced writer to cover the Thunderbirds for 710Sports.com. The position is unpaid. If interested, please email Brady Henderson at bhenderson@bonneville.com.
Thursday, May 3, 2012 @ 8:56am
Thunderbirds take C Mathew Barzal with top pick
The Seattle Thunderbirds selected center Mathew Barzal with the No. 1 pick in the 2012 WHL Bantam draft Thursday.
Barzal, a native of Coquitlam, British Columbia, played with the Burnaby Winter Club Bantam A team last season, scoring 39 goals with 68 assists for 107 points in 35 regular-season games. Barzal is 5-foot-10 and 160 pounds. He is 15 years old and is a right-handed shot.
"We are very excited to add Mathew Barzal to our team today," Thunderbirds general manager Russ Farwell said in a statement. "Mathew has true star potential and will be a very exciting player for our fans to watch develop. He has a style all his own and plays the game at a pace that is truly fun to watch. He has been a dominant player for a number of years and his package of skill and winning attitude will have a tremendous influence on our team from top to bottom."
The Thunderbirds also have the 20th overall pick, which they acquired in the trade that sent Marcel Noebels to the Portland Winterhawks.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012 @ 5:15pm
The Farwell Side
By Mike Caccioppoli
I spoke with General Manager Russ Farwell about several issues including the disappointing end to the season, the Birds not making the playoffs three years in a row and the upcoming Bantam Draft where they will have the first overall pick.
Mike Caccioppoli: Let's talk about the unhappy ending to the season. The team won a few games down the stretch and then lost to Everett in a game that would have put you in the playoffs. I'm guessing of the three years that you missed the post-season this has to be the most disappointing.
Russ Farwell: I don't know, I think they are all disappointing. I think the way it happened and winning those games and we kind of came together and had some momentum. It comes down to one game like that, I thought the guys played hard but we came up short so yes it's disappointing.
MC: In a way losing that last game in Portland buy a score of 8-2 was pretty much indicative of why the Birds missed the playoffs again. Going 2-24 against Portland, Tri-Cities and Kamloops.
RF: Well I don't know what you want there. Yes we didn't play well against Portland, we didn't get the points needed. That last game was disappointing because some guys didn't play well enough. I think we are just disappointed in that loss against Everett and that played into it.That game was the real story.
MC: If you look at that final week it was really the young guys like Honey, Troock and even Swenson that really carried that team. Are you disappointed that the vets didn't play better especially in the second half of the season?
RF: Yes.That would tell you that too.They are disappointed. I think Gallimore scored something like three goals in his last 15-20 games. That kind of stat isn't impressive, you need your older guys to play. A couple of guys like that dropped off in production. Some of our older guys struggled there is no doubt.
MC: You say you can't explain it but is it a matter of just too many guys having a down season, was it an effort thing? Is there any explanation at all as to why the older guys didn't seem to play for Steve down the stretch?
RF: Well the thing Mike to me is I don't think it's quite that easy. As far as Gallimore is concerned I think he was trying. He was trying as hard as he could, he couldn't muster anything, he wasn't as good as he was last year. I think he bought into Steve's system, they weren't at odds or anything. I don't think it happened quite as you described it.
MC: I don't want to put this all on Gallimore. I think you can look at a lot of guys. Lockhart dropped off..a lot of 18's and 19's. You have talked in the past about how your 18's and 19's have to carry you. You can look at Alos and Elliot and even Lund in the last month or so.
RF: Well you have to look at the team yes. We lost Alos at the end there. Lockhart's production dropped off. He was another guy I thought was on board. Production wise we needed him to take a step. I used Gallimore because he was our only 20 year old scorer and he led us last year. We needed more from our returning guys I think that's a fair comment.
MC: When you look at the younger guys like Theodore, Hauf and Honey etc..are you looking at those guys as the core of the team moving forward?
RF: When we lost Verdino even though it really set us back, it let the younger guys get more ice time.It was painful at times right after the deadline but there is no doubt towards the end they all took a real step forward. Those guys will be important to us. I think Deagle gave us a lot in the second half, I don't know if you put Rouse in that category of guys that underachieved but I think he gave us good service. I think his line was good. We expect them to take a step and go from there.
MC: Can the fans expect a real turnover when it comes to the roster?
RF: Well there's always turnover. Are you talking about trades?
MC: Well I'm talking about some of the 18's and 19's that didn't perform as expected. The guys that haven't developed the way you wanted from when they were 16. Are we still going to see them on this team next year?
RF: It depends on what kind of summer they have. In Jacobs' case he didn't come off that injury well. It took him a long time to get going. I don't think he had a good year. As an 18 year old we expected him to have a better year but I'm not throwing in the towel with him. I think Alos is capable. In a lot of cases I'm looking for more from those guys. I'm not quite sure what your question is. I notice you kind of put yourself in the fan category there, are you talking as a fan and not as a reporter?
MC: I'm talking about what the fans, the media, everyone that follows the team can expect. Alos and Elliot had a combined five goals. Is that acceptable?
RF: Scoring wise it wasn't. I think there is more to Alos, he was starting to get confidence, to kill penalties. I think there is another step in his game. Mitch didn't have a very good year there is no doubt, he will have to take a step and do more. We still have to go to camp, until we go to camp we don't know. There could be some roster moves, some guys will come and challenge for those spots so we will see what happens.
MC: The big thing coming up is the Bantam Draft. You have the first pick overall and I think three of the first 25 picks.That is a very big draft for the future is it not?
RF: Certainly. It is a good opportunity for us and it's looking like a deep draft so yes.
MC: A name that pops up everywhere as the guy to take is Matthew Barzal. What can you tell us about him and is he on your radar as the first pick?
RF: We are just starting to sort that out. He's certainly on our radar because he's a good player. He's a very good player and he's on everyone's list at this point in time.
MC: With some bad drafts in the recent past how do you reinstill confidence in you and your staff being able to choose the right players moving forward?
RF: Well how do I reinstill confidence? I'm very satisfied in the last few years in our picks. We've worked hard this winter and we are marching ahead. We are going to pick the best players. How do you reinstill confidence? You pick the players and watch them play I guess.
MC: We've talked in the past and I've also heard you in other interviews talk about the young defensemen coming in and you are confident about that. However where is the scoring going to come from? If you look at the numbers you probably need at least 50-75 more goals scored next season to be in the mix.
RF: I think we are going to have more offense. For example Theodore is going to have more offense from the back end next season. We will have to see what the Import Draft brings. The guys you are disappointed in like Alos and Elliot, I think those guys will score more. Hickman has way more to give, Honey is just coming into his own. Troock has shown us flashes, if he stays healthy he will give us more. The guys that are back have to take a step forward and we have to add to it.
MC: What might you be looking for in the Import Draft? A forward? A Goalie?
RF: Well we will be looking at the best best players. We aren't going in saying we have to have this or that. We will pick the best players we can. I would think we would take at least one forward. You have seen enough of those drafts to know it's quite a puzzle. You are always better to wait till after the NHL Draft till you make those decisions.
MC: Does Daniel Cotton have a chance to be the goalie for this team?
RF: Well sure he has a chance. He has to mature and go after it. He has to take a step forward to compete for the spot. He has to earn everyone's confidence out of the gate.
MC: Now that you haven't made the playoffs is there any regret at all that you didn't trade Pickard and get something for the future?
RF: If you had told me right then that we weren't going to make it then I maybe would have traded..I told you back then there weren't any viable offers there. We made the trade that we thought would help us for the future (Noebels). Looking back I couldn't invent a trade, I didn't get an offer that was viable at all, so it's just speculation.
MC: Let's not talk about the media at all, let's just talk about the fans because they spend the money and they put their heart and soul into the team. It has been three years in a row of not making the playoffs and that's not easy to do. What can you, the Owner and General Manager tell them to give them hope that this team will make a big improvement next season?
RF: We are committed..I brought Steve here and we are committed to his system. We are going in the right direction. It's important what he is doing, and to get the kind of players he wants. From a scouting staff and adding players this year we are confident. For now the guys coming back and the moves we make now will be Steve's guys. I'm very confident in his approach and his abilities. We are disappointed in the season, but we started to play towards the end. It was far too late but the guys are excited, that is how we have to play next year and that's the direction in which we're heading.
MC: So you bring in Steve and it doesn't work out the first season but will he have a real say in who plays on this team? Not only with trades but with the draft as well?
RF: He had this year and will have a say in the locker room with the guys that are back. He won't have a big say in the draft no. My scouting staff will make the decisions in the draft.
MC: What kind of changes have you made in the scouting staff, with some bad decisions that were made in the past in the draft?
RF: What bad deals are you talking about?
MC: I'm talking about the drafts that haven't panned out.
RF: We've talked about that in the past. I think since the Fleming draft I think we are comfortable with the picks we've made. Troock was a good draft for us. Long term we are going to have a very solid defense. That comes from the scouting staff and what they've done. We juggled our staff two years ago but we haven't seen any changes since last year.
MC: Are you confident with the job Colin Alexander is doing as the director of player personnel?
RF: Yes. He's a very hard working guy, he knows every single player. I know he's working hard this year, I'm confident about him.
MC: As the General Manager do you overrule people a lot? You have the final say correct?
RF: I have to be confident in that guys we have. Colin is the guy that sees all the players. He works with the scouts we have, but he also gets out and sees every guy. I see them at the end and we talk it over. If we have two guys we are considering we always defer to Colin at the end because he's seen them the most.
MC: Is there any situation where Russ Farwell the Owner replaces Russ Farwell the General Manager?
RF: I'm confident in the direction we are going. I don't envision that. I know we will get back on track and rebuild the team. That's what we've been working on. I was disappointed this season but I think we've taken a step and are committed to the path we are on.
twitter @mike710espn
Thursday, March 22, 2012 @ 6:46pm
Thunderbirds Final Report Card
By Mike Caccioppoli
The Thunderbirds missed the playoffs for the third straight season with a record of 25-45-1-1. They were four games under.500 at the Holiday break and 16 games under.500 in the second half of the season. The 52 points they ended with were 12 less than the total from last season and only two points better than their total from one of their worst seasons ever in 2009-2010.
Now the final report card:
#1 Calvin Pickard.. Grade: B
It was a tough season for the 19 year old goalie even though he broke two WHL records, for most saves and most minutes played. The reason he broke the first record is because he's a great goalie that played on some bad teams. He saw over 2,000 shots again this season while playing in 64 of the 72 games. At times he was visibly upset with the play of his teammates in front of him and for good reason. All of those shots and lopsided losses may have taken a toll and there were times where he may have been mentally unprepared. Still he ended with five shutouts, tied for the league lead with Ty Rimmer of the first place Tri-City Americans. That stat alone is incredible. His save percentage was once again over 90 percent, another mind blowing stat considering all the shots he faced. I believe he thought he would be dealt at the trade deadline and he should have been. As we saw once again one player alone is not enough to get you to the post season and he would have brought a very solid return for the future. For those who think he will be back next season as a 20 year old there is about as much chance of that happening as there is of an NHL team playing in Seattle next season. Forget it.
#3 Jared Hauf..Grade: B-
Hauf really matured as the season progressed. He was a bit shaky early in the season but he's only 16. If you watched him closely you wouldn't see Hauf making too many mistakes later in the season. In fact it could be argued that for long stretches Hauf and Theodore was the teams best defensive pairing. Which would also be a reason why the Birds struggled defensively all season long since both are 16 years old.
#4 Brad Deagle...Grade: B
Deagle is a solid D man and one of the few older players that showed up in the second half of the season. Strong on the puck and a guy that can skate, Deagle proved to be the best of the patchwork D core that Russ Farwell put together. It would be hard to see him not coming back at 20 especially since the Birds defense will be young next season.
# 5 Braeden Laroque.. Grade: C-
I know Laroque was seen as a good teammate and a guy that gave effort but if you watched him close enough you would see him turnover the puck way too often. He is also too slow and got beat often because of it. On a team with good defense he would never play. You won't see him back next season.
# 6 Evan Wardley.. Grade: C+
Wardley missed a lot of games due to injury which hurt his growth a bit. However when he started to play regularly down the stretch you could see how skilled he could be. Positioned well and not afraid to use his big body, he looks like a player with a huge upside that could factor into the Birds defensive core for the next two to three seasons. The effort is always there as well.
#7 Mitch Elliot...Grade: D+
What a weird season for Elliot. He was moved to defense kind of late in the season and went back and forth for a while. He was also a healthy scratch for several games, never a good sign for an 18 year old. One of the reasons he was moved is because he only had five points all season. Maybe his big body is better suited for defense but I don't think the Birds are going to be able to go with a 19 year old work in progress D man next season. Not sure Elliot will be back.
# 9 Justin Hickman..Grade: C+
Hickman had 12 goals and 22 points this season. Those numbers aren't good enough for a second year player with his skill. Hickman works hard and is a grinder for sure. Most love the way he plays but he needs to get those numbers up quite a bit next season. He was just one of many forwards on the team that under performed this season.
# 11 Branden Troock.. Grade: B-
Troock's season started the way the last one ended..out of the lineup. That would finally end when they discovered his problem with a neck issue that could be helped with acupuncture. So in his first season and playing 56 games he ended with 14 goals and 26 points. Not bad numbers but they can be a whole lot better especially if he learns to use his teammates. At times Troock thinks he can do it all by himself and while that might work here and there it is seen as selfish by many and not a way to win hockey games. If he learns that he will be a great player, if not.....
# 12 Tyler Alos..Grade: C-
Alos plays hard, and he cares. He wants the team to win and is a total team player. He also just isn't scoring. In his third season he had just three goals and 17 points in 59 games. He is one of those guys that could be a third line guy on a good team that can score goals. On this team he was expected to be so much more than that and it really isn't fair to expect him to be a first or second line guy. One issue is that he is small and loses too many battles because of it. I think because of his heart he will be back next season but it would be great if he could put on some size.
# 14 Connor Honey..Grade: B+
In just 46 games and in his first season in the WHL Honey scored 10 goals and had 21 points. Down the stretch he was a madman, literally carrying the team on his back as they made a playoff push. Honey is a play maker, he creates plays out of nothing and he goes hard to the net to score most of his goals. As far as the young forwards go he looks like the guy with the most potential. He played more like a 19 year old than a 17 year old. One wonders where the Birds may have ended up had he been here all season. Even his post-game interviews got better as the season went along!
# 16 Brendan Rouse..Grade: C+
Rouse is another guy that doesn't put pucks in the net. However he does a lot of other things well including playing smart hockey in the defensive zone, something several Birds had issues with this season. He is also a leader on the team and he really helped both Troock and Honey after he returned from an extended injury. That reason alone is enough to bring him back as a 20 year old. That line could be very effective next season.
#17 Shea Theodore..Grade: B+
What can you say about Shea? At 16 years old he played in 69 games, a tremendous number. On a team with more defensive depth he would not have seen that much ice time. There were some points later in the season where he may have looked tired but who could blame him? Mostly though he was a real force at the blue line and he got better at quarter backing the power play as the season wore on. His 35 points was the highest of the D men. Could be one of the best D men in the WHL by the time he turns 19.
# 18 Dave Sutter..Grade: C+
Sutter takes a lot of heat from fans and it's really not warranted. Is he a great D man? No, and he won't be back as a 20 being an import player but he's also rarely a detriment on the ice. He is good at using his long reach to break up plays and has good speed as well. He could be more physical but that's not really his game. One of the negatives as with so many of the Birds this season was his plus/minus rating which was a -36.
# 19 Colin Jacobs..Grade: C-
Even with the off season shoulder surgery that set him back a bit, Jacobs did not have the season so many expected of the 18 year old third season player. He ended with just nine goals and 19 points in 44 games. He never was an offensive force or threat in most games and he took too many dumb penalties especially late games that would end up hurting his team. Less mouth and more stick next season would be a good recipe for success if he returns.
# 20 Luke Lockhart..Grade: D+
Lockhart had a disappointing season. I know Konowalchuk likes his hustle but for a 19 year old team captain in his fourth season with the team, 16 goals and 37 points with a -37 rating just doesn't cut it. His goals were down from 21 last season, and points from 48 last season. His plus minus was only a -14 last season as well. I think it was a mistake to make Luke the captain as he has been known to be more of a follower than a leader. He had a few good games in desperation time over the last week of the season but we should have seen that all year long from a guy wearing the "C". It could be down to between him and Lund when it comes to which 19 year old doesn't return as a 20.
#22 Burke Gallimore.. Grade: D
It doesn't matter that Gallimore had the most goals on the team with 22 because last season he ended up with 34. He also dropped from 70 points to 40 points. He was a -30 as well. So many were expecting a 40 goal season from the 20 year old and he didn't come close. He was too often lazy especially in the defensive zone. One of those players that never lived up to their potential because they either didn't give their best effort or never took things seriously enough.
#23 Chance Lund..Grade: C-
One of the few forwards that actually improved on their numbers from last season yet still it wasn't good enough from a 19 year old fourth year player. He ended with 15 goals and 32 points in 67 games. Amongst all the big minus numbers on the team Lund wasn't all that bad with a -11. After a pretty solid first half of the season Lund's numbers fell off quite a bit and he was pretty much a non factor over the final month. Like I just said I think either Lind or Lockhart don't return next season.
#24 Cason Machacek...Grade: C
The two Cason's. The first is a leader who really helped the young defensemen on the team. The second is the hot headed dude who got suspended too much and took too many penalties. He certainly played with heart...when he played. You want your 20 year old D man on the ice not in the stands. Cason was really here for next season..to teach the young guys a thing or two about the game.
# 25 Seth Swenson..Grade: B
In just 34 games with the Birds, Swenson had 10 goals and 17 points. That would be the same amount of goals Marcel Noebels had as a member of the Winterhawks. Down the stretch he really played his best hockey as he went hard to the net for those greasy goals players love to talk about. His offensive numbers were the best in his career because he's finally getting playing time. Look for him to get even more playing time next season.
#28 Jacob Doty..Grade: D+
Doty is a fan favorite because he fights and fights well. However he doesn't score. He had two goals and seven points in 55 games. He was a healthy scratch often in the last month or so of the season. With fighting becoming less and less of a factor in the game Doty needs to reinvent himself. I'm not sure he will get that chance in Seattle next season.
#29 Dillon Wagner..Grade: C-
Wagner was acquired after the trade deadline when Kyle Verdino decided he could no longer play. Wagner, 20 looked like a good guy off the ice but as a forward he didn't have much offense to his game. In 32 games with Seattle he had two goals and six points. A necessary pick up for Farwell but it didn't have much positive impact on the team.
#30 Daniel Cotton..Grade: C-
I'm tired of giving the Birds backup goalies an incomplete so I'm awarding a grade here. Cotton only played in 17 games and his numbers aren't good especially the 0-8 record. However he had just eight starts and they were all against very good teams and often on the road. He needs to work on his rebound control but he never seemed nervous or not ready to go. Is the coaching staff sold on him as the goalie for next season? No, but I'm sure he will be in the mix.
#34 Connor Sanvido..Grade: D
The # 8 Sanvido would have gotten an F but the #34 Sanvido was closer to a C so we will just average it out. Hey, it's no small feat to go from an F to a C in just a few weeks but that's what Sanvido did. After being sent home for not taking his role seriously enough Sanvido returned and seemed to be a different player. When he got back into the lineup he hustled more and began to put some pucks in the back of the net. What happened while he was home? Who knows, but I'm thinking it will get him an invite to camp next season and maybe he will have the chance to improve on his numbers from this season (58...8-9-17).
Head Coach Steve Konowalchuk..Grade: C
I'm not sure Konowalchuk knew what he was getting into this season. I think he expected more from his older players than he got. For some reason they just didn't play for him especially in the second half. Does the coach have to take some responsibility for that? Sure. The players do as well as does the person who is responsible for those guys being on the team to begin with. Steve did get the younger guys to play and they got better as the season wore on, you just can't count on those guys to carry you to the playoffs, that's the responsibility of the vets. The media isn't allowed in the locker room (something that needs to change) so I don't know how he dealt with players off the ice but my guess is that he isn't hot headed yet he also doesn't baby guys. Maybe the older guys wanted to be treated with kid gloves but I think Konowalchuk knows the game and has been through it all. He will hopefully get players that want to be on the team and give it their best effort every night. I think Steve also suffered from not knowing the league very well but now with a season under his belt he will be better prepared next season.
General Manager Russ Farwell..Grade: D
Russ is responsible for those guys that didn't give their best effort and lead the way. He's also responsible for the shoddy defense and all of the forwards that just didn't score. At the trade deadline he made one very good move in getting Swenson and two first round picks from Portland for Noebels. He also made one very bad non move by not trading Pickard to Brandon. He would have gotten a decent return if not the best return he could have hoped for. As so many knew at the time, Pickard himself couldn't get the Birds into the playoffs and even if he did it would have been one round and out. Not worth sacrificing the future for but more importantly it was kind of selfish because Pickard deserved better in his final season in the WHL. The fault also lies with Farwell for not building a winner around the best goalie in the league. Yes it's all about drafting (Fleming, first round..traded, Sanvido, first round..sent home for a stretch, etc, etc.) The big question remaining is will Farwell give Konowalchuk and Assistant Coach Darren Rumble enough say in who is drafted this year and who comes to play for this team next season and beyond. To find guys that fit into their system. That alone could decide whether or not the Birds are ever a success.
twitter @mike710espn
Sunday, March 18, 2012 @ 7:38pm
Game 72: Season over for Thunderbirds as they lose big in Portland
By Mike Caccioppoli
(49-19-3-1) Portland Winterhawks 8, (25-45-1-1) Seattle Thunderbirds 2
PORTLAND- In a real do or die game the Birds do the latter as they are once again blown out by Portland this time by a score of 8-2. As was the case most of the season especially against this Winterhawk team the Birds coughed up the puck time and again in their own zone, and couldn't finish their chances in the offensive zone.
The result is not only a lopsided loss but another season without the playoffs for the Birds. Their third straight on the outside looking in.
Shea Theodore (4) scored on the power play to give the Birds a 1-0 lead at 4:06 of the first period.It was unassisted.
That early lead lasted all of 11 seconds asTy Rattie (56) took a pass from Marcel Noebels and beat Calvin Pickard from the left face off circle to tie the game.
Portland took a 2-1 lead on the power play at 9:31. Troy Rutkowski scored his 13th goal of the season.
Ty Rattie (57) put the Hawks up 3-1 when he scored a shorthanded goal at 18:29.
Seattle was down 3-1 after 20 minutes and they were being outshot 17-11.
Burke Gallimore (22) made it a 3-2 game at 7:45 of the second period. Colin Jacobs got the assist.
Portland quickly regained the two goal lead when Mitch Elliot gave up the puck in the defensive zone and Oliver Gabriel (18) scored.
The Hawks went up 5-2 at 12:27 when Derrick Pouliot scored his 11th goal of the season.
Another turnover by the Birds led to Portland's 6th goal right at the end of the period. Joey Baker (4) scored with two seconds left in the period.
After two periods the Birds were down 6-2 and being outshot 30-21.
It only took 23 seconds into the third period for the Hawks to score again. They took a 7-2 lead on a goal by Oliver Gabriel (19) .
On a five on three advantage Portland took an 8-2 lead. Oliver Gabriel (20) got the Hat Trick at 3:17.
Seattle falls 8-2 as their season ends.
Plus side:
None.
Minus side:
The usual. It made sense that the Birds season would end with a game full of turnovers and missed opportunities. Pickard had little help in front of him in giving up eight goals. Portland was without four key players and it didn't make any difference at all.
78-27. The Birds were out scored by Portland 78-27 over their 12 games.Those numbers are just awful and probably the main reason why the Birds didn't make the playoffs.
2-24. That is the Birds record this season against Kamloops,Portland and Tri-City. There is another reason the Birds missed the post-season.
Older and bigger? Doesn't mean better and stronger as we saw all season long. The Birds started the season with nine 19 year olds,about the most you will see on a team. They were also one of the biggest teams. Yet they lost too many battles for pucks and it was the younger players that gave the team any hope at all the last week of the season. You live or die with your vets down the stretch and most were M.I.A.
Three in a row. Seasons without playoffs. Very tough to do when your odds of missing them in any given season is just 20 percent.
Game Notes:
-D Braeden Laroque did not play. F Jacob Doty did not play.
-Seattle ends the season at 11-24-1 on the road. They were 1-11 vs. Portland (1-5 home, 0-6 road).
-Calvin Pickard finishes with a record of 25-37-1-1. Brendan Burke finishes with a record of 7-2-1-1.
Thunderbirds finish the second half with a record of 12-28-1.
PLAYOFF CHASE:
CLINCHED 7.Victoria..55 points
CLINCHED 8. Everett..54 points
ELIMINATED 9. Seattle..52 points
ELIMINATED 10. Prince George..50 points
710Sports.com three stars:
First star: Oliver Gabriel (Hat Trick, assist, +3 rating)
Second star: Ty Rattie (two goals, assist, +1 rating)
Third star: Cam Reid (two assists, +2 rating)
Coming up: Stay tuned to 710Sports.com for my year end report card and other features as we wrap up the Thunderbirds 2011-2012 season.
Game summary is on the WHL website.
twitter @mike710espn
Sunday, March 18, 2012 @ 12:42am
Game 71: Thunderbirds are pushed to the brink of elimination by the Silvertips
By Mike Caccioppoli
(22-40-2-8) Everett Silvertips 6, (25-44-1-1) Seattle Thunderbirds 4
I thought we were coming along pretty good. I was happy with the third period. They weren't in our zone that much until that game winner. They got the bounces and made the play on the game winner.
We can win tomorrow, it's one of the teams we have to beat. They (Everett) beat them and we are going to have to beat them. As I've said all along we have to beat a good team to get where we want...Head Coach Steve Konowalchuk
KENT- In the biggest game of the season thus far and with a sold out barn the Thunderbirds blow four leads including a 4-3 third period lead and fall to the Silvertips 6-4. With a win the Birds could have clinched a playoff spot instead they will need to defeat the Winterhawks in Portland on Sunday to force a one game tie-breaker vs. Everett on Tuesday at the ShoWare Center. If they do not win their season will be over.
Nice puck movement down low allowed Connor Honey (9) to knock one in off the Tips' Dominik Bitter and put the Birds up 1-0 at 18:13. Brad Deagle and Branden Troock got the assists.
That was the only goal of the period and Everett outshot Seattle 9-6.
Seattle came out sloppy to start the second period and Everett took advantage by scoring the tying goal. Manraj Hayer (4) scored at 2:24.
Branden Troock (14) put the Birds back in front 2-1 at 7:16. Troock took his time and shot the puck over the shoulder of Kent Simpson. Connor Honey and Braeden Laroque got the assists.
Everett tied it on a scramble in front of the net. Manraj Hayer tallied his 5th goal of the season.
Luke Lockhart broke in shorthanded and was pulled down and awarded a penalty shot. He scored to put the Birds up 3-2. It was his 16th goal of the season.
Everett remained on the power play and scored on a tip in with one second left on the advantage to tie the game 3-3. Josh Birkholz (29)scored the goal.
Connor Honey (10) working hard in front of the net on the power play knocked the puck past Simpson and the Birds regained the lead 4-3. Luke Lockhart and Shea Theodore got the assists.
After 40 minutes Seattle led 4-3 and were being outshot 27-19.
Everett tied the game 4-4 at 8:31 of the third period. Zac McPhee scored his 5th goal of the season.
The Tips took their first lead of the game at 15:11 Cody Fowlie scored his 14th goal of the season.
Pickard was pulled in favor of the extra attacker with 1:30 left.
Everett scored into the empty net to seal the game 6-4. Ryan Harrison scored his 20th goal of the season.
Post game Q & A with Head Coach Steve Konowalchuk:
Jim Riley (Seattle Times): How do you put this loss behind you going into Portland tomorrow?
SK: We have to. We have to go there and compete and play hard no matter what the situation is. We have to put this game behind us.
MC: Seems like you guys weren't as strong in the D zone tonight as you had been lately.
SK: A little bit, but I thought their team was the same way. Usually our games against Everett are tight checking games, tonight both teams had their chances. It was a little bit different with the high emotions and the energy.
MC: Do you think there is anything to the idea that since it was a must win game for them that might have factored in?
SK: No, not at all.
JR: Did the team let up at all after getting that first goal?
SK: I thought we were coming along pretty good. I was happy with the third period. They weren't in our zone that much until that game winner. They got the bounces and made the play on the game winner.
MC: Well you had the lead four times, that has to sting.
SK: For sure yes. They (Everett) didn't stop trying.
JR: Do you feel you can go into Portland and get a win?
SK: We can win tomorrow, it's one of the teams we have to beat. They (Everett) beat them and we are going to have to beat them. As I've said all along we have to beat a good team to get where we want.
MC: What do you have to do to beat them?
SK: We have to stop their rush. They score too much off the rush.
Plus side:
Young guys again. Once again the young guys try to carry the team. Honey almost did it all by himself. Also a great game for Troock.
Getting the go ahead goal. The Birds were able to take the lead four times but...
Minus side:
Coughing up the lead. The Birds blew the lead four times. The worst being a 4-3 lead with just over 11 minutes left in the game.
Playing not to lose. No killer instinct. It looked like the team was playing not to lose instead of going for the kill. Four chances at that all important two goal lead and they couldn't do it.
Time and space. Birds weren't physical enough in getting Everett off the puck and slowing down the rush. Too much time and space given to their forwards to create scoring chances.
D zone blunders. Not tight enough in the D zone tonight. Too many mistakes leading to scoring chances and goals.
Missed opportunity. With a full crowd and tons of playoff atmosphere the Birds blow a chance to clinch a playoff spot. Now they must do something they haven't done all season..win in Portland. Will Portland sit some guys? Probably, if they are smart, but it really seems like more of a mental thing with the Birds. You wear that Portland jersey and you are no longer just a teenage hockey player, you are special. If the Birds don't shake that mentality their season is over.
Game Notes:
-I want to talk about home ice advantage for a minute. The ShoWare Center does not allow banners and flag waiving for T-Bird fans yet there was an Everett fan with a huge flag waiving it in front of the media section all night long. Security said they "snuck it in." There was nothing covert about the flag waiving all night and yet not one security person asked the guy to stop. When people wonder why the Birds have no real home ice advantage you can look to several areas but this is one that can be controlled easily. You tell your own fans that they can't support the team that way yet you let an opposing fan do it in the biggest game of the season. No excuse for that.
-F Jacob Doty did not play. D Jared Hauf did not play. F Tyler Alos continues to be out with an upper body injury.
-Seattle drops to 14-21-0-1 at home. They finish 5-4-1 vs. Everett (3-2 home, 2-2-1 road).
-Calvin Pickard falls to 25-36-1-1. Kent Simpson improves to 20-31-2-5.
Thunderbirds second half record: 12-27-1.
PLAYOFF CHASE:
CLINCHED 7. Victoria..(24 wins..55 points..no games left)
IN 8. Everett..(22 wins...54 points..no games left)
OUT 9. Seattle..(25 wins..52 points.. 1 game left)
ELIMINATED 10. Prince George..(24 wins..50 points..no games left)
710Sports.com three stars:
First star: Manraj Hayer (two goal, assist, +3 rating)
Second star : Jari Erricson (three assists, +3 rating)
Third star: Connor Honey (two goals, assist)
The Thunderbirds play Sunday at 5 pm in Portland against the Winterhawks. The action can be heard live at 710Sports.com.
Game summary is on the WHL website.
twitter @mike710espn
Friday, March 16, 2012 @ 11:27pm
Game 70: Thunderbirds win nail biter in Spokane setting up showdown against Everett for playoff spot
By Mike Caccioppoli
(25-43-1-1) Seattle Thunderbirds 4, (37-25-5-4) Spokane Chiefs 3
SPOKANE- Down to their final three games of the season the Thunderbirds played a hard fought nail biter of a game in Spokane and come out on top 4-3. A third period goal by Burke Gallimore was the difference.
The win combined with Everett losing in Tri-City ties Seattle with the Silvertips for the 8th and final playoff spot leading into Saturday night's showdown between the two teams at the ShoWare Center. If the Birds win they will clinch a playoff spot.
The Birds scored a power play goal to take a 1-0 lead at 2:11 of the first period. Luke Lockhart scored his 15th goal of the season. Shea Theodore and Connor Honey got the assists.
Marek Kalus (20) tied the game at on a bad angle shot 9:14 that beat Calvin Pickard.
After one period the game was tied 1-1. Seattle outshot Spokane 15-12.
Spokane got the first 11 shots of the second period and tallied a power play goal to take a 2-1 lead at 6:22 when Blake Gal scored his 15th goal of the season.
Seattle tied it on a Seth Swenson goal off a two on one break at 9:04. The goal was unassisted.
The Chiefs took just seven seconds to score their 2nd power play goal of the game and take a 3-2 lead. Dylan Walchuk scored his 9th goal of the season at 13:08.
With 31 seconds left in the period the Birds tied it 3-3. Colin Jacobs (9) scored with the assists coming from Connor Honey and Evan Wardley.
After 40 minutes the game was tied 3-3. Spokane had the 32-24 edge in shots.
Burke Gallimore (21) gave the Birds a 4-3 lead at 15:11 of the third period. It was the 100th goal of the WHL career. Colin Jacobs and Luke Lockhart got the assists. The puck went off his leg/skate and was initially called no goal but the review showed that it was not knocked in with a distinct kicking motion.
With just under two minutes left Spokane pulled Eric Williams for the extra attacker.
With several chances at the tying goal Pickard makes a couple of huge saves and the Birds defeat the Chiefs 4-3.
Plus side:
Sticking with it. There were times where the Birds looked a little out of sorts against Spokane but those stretches were kept to a minimum and they fought through it and prevailed.
Five on five. The Birds had some trouble containing Spokane's power play tonight while looking bad on their own chances after scoring on their first opportunity. You knew it would come down to five on five play and Seattle won that battle with a +2 rating for the team.
Swenson. Several players stepped up tonight but Seth Swenson continues to look more and more comfortable in Konowalchuk's system. He scored another huge goal tonight and while it was a pretty goal he also goes hard to the net for most of his success. He has 10 goals as a T-Bird now.
Offense. All of a sudden the Birds are creating more scoring chances. Making better passes and scoring a few goals. Much of it has to do with guys like Swenson, Honey, and Troock taking over.
Pickard. Calvin made some big saves in the second and third period with the game on the line. He needed to be a wall in the final 20 minutes and he was.
Minus side:
Penalty kill. The reason the game was such a struggle was because the Birds had trouble on the PK. They need to clear guys out from in front so Pickard can see the shots. That was an issue tonight.
Still need to finish better. If they finished on some chances including at least one open net the game wouldn't have gone down to the final seconds.
Game Notes:
-F Tyler Alos remains out with an upper body injury.
-D Jared Hauf did not play.
-Playoff scenarios: If Seattle defeats Everett they clinch a playoff spot and the Tips are eliminated. The win can come either in regulation, overtime or the shootout. If Everett wins the game and Seattle gets no points they will have to win in Portland on Sunday to force a one game playoff against Everett on Tuesday at the ShoWare Center. If Seattle gets one point against Everett they would need one point against Portland to force the playoff game. If they got two points against Portland they would clinch a playoff spot and eliminate Everett. If Seattle gets three out of their last four points they clinch the 7th seed with Victoria getting the 8th seed. Got that?
-Seattle improves to 11-23-1 on the road. They finish 3-5 against Spokane (1-3 home, 2-2 road).
-Calvin Pickard improves to 25-35-1-1. Eric Williams falls to 16-21-4-2.
Thunderbirds second half record: 12-26-1.
PLAYOFF CHASE:
CLINCHED 7.Victoria..(24 wins..55 points..no games left)
IN 8. Seattle..(25 wins..52 points..2 games left)
OUT 9. Everett..(21 wins..52 points..1 game left)
ELIMINATED 10. Prince George..(23 wins..48 points..1 game left)
710Sports.com three stars:
First star: Luke Lockhart (goal, assist, +1 rating)
Second star: Connor Honey (two assists, +1 rating)
Third star: Dylan Walchuk (goal, assist)
The Thunderbirds play Saturday night against Everett at the ShoWare Center. Game time is 7:05 pm and the action can be heard live at 710Sports.com.
Game summary is on the WHL website.
twitter @mike710espn
Tuesday, March 13, 2012 @ 8:57pm
Game 69: Thunderbirds use three power play goals to defeat the Chiefs
By Mike Caccioppoli
(24-43-1-1) Seattle Thunderbirds 3, (36-24-5-4) Spokane Chiefs 1
Me, Troock and Rouse have really developed lately. It wasn't that I was playing bad it's just that I wasn't getting the bounces. Now they are starting to come around. It helps that the team is winning. Hopefully we can keep it going and make the playoffs...Connor Honey
Winning isn't easy. The way we played tonight..it isn't easy. You need to empty the tanks every night. That's the way we are capable of playing, we are finding some consistency...Calvin Pickard
Obviously it was another do or die game. These guys played hard. They looked like a team that would do whatever it takes and they won...Head Coach Steve Konowalchuk
KENT- With their playoff hopes on the line the Thunderbirds play one of their best games of the season and defeat the Chiefs 3-1. All three of the Birds goals came on the power play.
For the first time in 2012 the Birds win back to back games.
With the win Seattle moves to within one point of the Victoria Royals for the 8th and final playoff spot.
No scoring in the first period with each team having one power play chance. The Chiefs also had a penalty shot but Steve Kuhn over skated the puck on his attempt to carry it out of the face off circle.
Shots were 11-7 in favor of the Chiefs.
The Birds got on the board first with a power play goal at 11:58 of the second period. Connor Honey scored his 7th goal of the season. Brendan Rouse and Seth Swenson got the assists.
Seattle made it 2-0 on another power play goal. This time Seth Swenson (10) knocked in a puck that slid behind Mac Engel. Shea Theodore and Brendan Rouse had the assists.
After 40 minutes the Birds led 2-0. Spokane had the 21-18 advantage in shots.
Connor Honey (8) scored his 2nd goal of the game and the Birds 3rd power play goal to put them up 3-0 at 6:30 of the third period. Colin Jacobs and Seth Swenson got the assists.
Steve Kuhn (13) got the Chiefs on the board at 8:08 as he deflected a shot past Calvin Pickard to make it a 3-1 game.
Spokane pulled Engel with two minutes left.
They didn't score and the Birds win 3-1.
Post game Q & A with Connor Honey:
MC: Do you feel like you are "in the zone" right now? You were hot there for a while then you cooled down now you are hot again.
CH: Yeah exactly. Me, Troock and Rouse have really developed lately. It wasn't that I was playing bad it's just that I wasn't getting the bounces. Now they are starting to come around. It helps that the team is winning. Hopefully we can keep it going and make the playoffs.
MC: That first goal was kind of a Hughesman-Holland-Shinnimin special, with great passes and a nice goal. Isn't that what you want to see more of?
CH: Yeah. They are all nice to get. It doesn't matter how we score. It was just nice to get the two points.
MC: You guys haven't had much success against Spokane, did the coach say something to prepare you better?
CH: We knew it was a desperation game for us. I think we were just the better team out there.
MC: Do you feel like you've been learning as the season has worn on?
CH: I feel like I've gotten a lot better. We have a great coach and great leaders on the team. It has really helped me out, learning under Steve who played in the NHL. Same with Rumble (Assistant Coach Darren Rumble).
MC: So if things hold until Friday you guys will be only one point out of a playoff spot going into the game in Spokane.
CH: We have three more left and we hope to win one or two or three. We just have to take it one game at a time and see how it goes.
Post game Q & A with Calvin Pickard:
MC: You were really pumped after that game weren't you?
CP: Yeah it was a fun game to play in. We played well, I played well, we blocked shots. That was the effort we needed. It's fun winning. We need to keep doing that.
MC: Talking during the game to people the consensus was that if you guys had played this way all season you would be where Spokane is right now.
CP: Winning isn't easy. The way we played tonight..it isn't easy. You need to empty the tanks every night. That's the way we are capable of playing, we are finding some consistency.
MC: Spokane really does play a full 60 minutes, and they grind it out and that's what you guys did tonight. In that second period you guys were pretty dominating.
CP: Yes. We are a similar team the difference is that they are more consistent with playing that kind of game. We need to be consistent as well.
MC: It seemed like you were really on tonight. Might have had a shutout if not for that defection but it looked like if you saw the shot it wasn't going in.
CP: I had to be good tonight. We knew it wasn't going to be easy. I wanted to be sharp early and give these guys a chance to win it.
Post game Q & A with Head Coach Steve Konowalchuk:
MC: I guess there isn't a better time to finally win back to back games this year (2012).
SK: Obviously it was another do or die game. These guys played hard. They looked like a team that would do whatever it takes and they won.
MC: They played a full 60 minutes and really wore Spokane down it seemed.
SK: They went from start to finish. Decision making was proper, we made Spokane work for everything. We took maybe a couple too many penalties but special teams were the game.
MC: We haven't seen three power play goals from this team in a long time.
SK: It was huge. We figured it would be a big part of the game today. PK was blocking shots, PP was setting up well, getting bodies in front of the net. There were a couple of nice plays as well.
MC: I've talked a lot in the past few weeks about the team not looking like it understands how big the games are. Tonight it looked as though they understood how important the two points were.
SK: I think we always realized, but right now they look like a determined bunch. The leaders in there have decided they want to make a real push.
MC: Same deal against this team on Friday when you could possibly get into a playoff spot?
SK: It's never an easy game against them. They grind it out an play hard. I thought we played harder today and that's why we won. They (Spokane) are going to probably even kick it up and play harder on Friday to try and beat us.
MC: You got a few breaks tonight. There were a couple of post shots and that non starter penalty shot. Is it just a matter of getting those breaks when you play well?
SK: When you work hard then.. I mean on the penalty shot you really can't control that but other teams will make more hurried plays. They had some chances though and Picks made some key saves especially in that third period when they were throwing everything at us.
MC: I guess you can look at Honey, Rouse and Swenson as the guys who really stepped up tonight.
SK: Everybody did. Hickman was blocking shots on the PK and it gave everyone a boost. When guys step out of the comfort zone good things happen. Lund played a good defensive game, everybody did their job.
MC: Do you see the character of this team shining through with their backs to the wall?
SK: I see a group that is coming together and they want to play for something. Nobody is letting each other down.
Plus side:
Grind. The Birds really played when of their best games of the year just two games after their worst. They out worked Spokane for most of the night and just seemed to "want it" more.
Power play. Three power play goals on four chances. Haven't been able to say that much. It was the difference in the game. They set up and were aggressive in taking shots.
Bodies in front. They had bodies in front of the net all night and were looking for those greasy goals. They got one on the Swenson goal.
Honey, Troock, Rouse. That line is really coming together. You can see the confidence when they are on the ice that something good will happen.
Pickard. Calvin seems to step up his game when his team plays well in front of him. He feeds off it. Tonight he was at his best, making a few point blank saves and he really stonewalled the Chiefs in the third period when they threw 21 shots at him.
Playing well at the right time. With destiny in their own hands the Birds are starting to look like they are gaining confidence. If they play like this over their last three games it will get them a playoff spot.
Minus side:
Where was this team all season? If Seattle had played with this kind of intensity and effort all season they would be where the Chiefs are now. Well at least it's not too little too late if they keep it going.
Game Notes:
-D Cason Machacek was serving the final game of his eight game suspension.
-F Jacob Doty did not play.
-Seattle improves to 14-20-0-1 at home. They are 2-5 vs. Spokane (1-3 home, 1-2 road).
-Calvin Pickard improves to 24-35-1-1. Mac Engel falls to 27-19-1-3.
Thunderbirds second half record: 11-26-1.
PLAYOFF CHASE:
IN 7. Victoria..(23 wins..53 points..1 game left)
IN 8. Everett..(21 wins..52 points..2 games left)
OUT 9. Seattle..(24 wins..50 points..3 games left)
OUT 10. Prince George..(23 wins..48 points..2 games left)
710Sports.com three stars:
First star: Connor Honey (two goals)
Second star: Calvin Pickard (41/42 saves)
Third star: Seth Swenson (goal, two assists)
The Thunderbirds play Friday night in Spokane. Game time is 7:05 pm and the action can be heard live at 710Sports.com.
Game summary is on the WHL website.
twitter @mike710espn
