T-Birds end 2016 with win over Winterhawks | WHL

Ormsby has goal and assist in 3-2 victory over Portland

January 1, 2017 11:00 am
The Thunderbirds’ Scott Eansor, right, and the Winterhawks’ Caleb Jones pursue the puck during WHL play. COURTESY PHOTO, Brian Liesse/T-Birds

The Seattle Thunderbirds defeated the Portland Winterhawks 3-2 in Western Hockey League play Saturday night in front of 10,947 at the Moda Center.

Portland (21-18-1-0) took a 1-0 lead at 14:38 of the first period on a goal from Ryan Hughes. Henri Jokiharju had the only assist.

The Winterhawks outshot the T-Birds 13-6 in the first period.

Seattle (19-14-3-1) tied the game 1-1 when shorthanded at 11:50 of the second period. Scott Eansor got to a loose puck along left boards and came into the Portland zone on a breakaway. Eansor beat Portland goalie Cole Kehler with a backhand shot high to the glove side.

The Winterhawks took the lead back at 16:42 of the second on an unassisted goal by Cody Glass.

Seattle outshot Portland 10-3 in the second period. Both teams had 16 shots on goal after two periods.

The T-Birds tied the game 2-2 at 5:26 of the third period. Jarret Tyszka took a shot from the left point that rebounded off Kehler. Zack Andrusiak dug at the rebound and got the puck past the Portland goalie on a scramble play in the crease. Luke Ormsby had the second assist on the goal.

Ormsby got the T-Birds the lead at 3-2 at 10:22 when he put back a rebound from on top of the crease. Andrusiak took a shot the Ormsby batted past Kehler for his second goal of the season. Jarret Tyszka had the second assist.

The T-Birds were called for hooking with 3:12 left in the game. Just after starting the power play, Portland pulled Kehler for a six-on-four advantage on the power play. The T-Birds limited Portland’s chances on the power play clearing the defensive zone several times, just missing the empty net twice.

Seattle outshot Portland 17-6 in the third period and 33-22 in the game.

Toth made 20 saves on 22 shots and his record is now 15-14-1-0.

Kehler made 30 saves on 33 shots and his record is now 16-13-0-0.

Back home Friday

The T-Birds’ next game is 7:35 p.m. Friday against the Everett Silvertips at the ShoWare Center.

Fans may purchase single game tickets online or at the ShoWare Center box office. Season tickets can be purchased by calling the T-Birds office at 253-239-7825.

SCORING SUMMARY

First period – 1, Portland, Hughes 14 (Jokiharju), 14:38. Penalties – Texeira, Por (high sticking), 5:10. Adams, Sea (roughing), 5:10. Adams, Sea (major-fighting), 7:34. Clayton, Por (major-fighting), 7:34. Neuls, Sea (tripping), 9:26. Ottenbreit, Sea (kneeing),

Second period – 2, Seattle, Eansor 17, 11:50 (sh). 3, Portland, Glass 20, 16:42. Penalties – Kolesar, Sea (roughing), 1:21. McKenzie, Por (roughing), 1:21. MacEachern, Por (major-fighting), 1:21. Wedman, Sea (major-fighting), 1:21. Ginnell, Por (high-sticking), 6:06. Bear, Sea (interference), 10:56. Iverson, Por (hooking), 18:36.

Third period – 4, Seattle, Andrusiak 4 (Tyszka, Ormsby), 5:26. 5, Seattle, Ormsby 2 (Andrusiak, Tyszka), 10:22. Penalties – Ottenbreit, Sea (interference), 3:00. Iverson, Por (tripping), 6:43. Weinger, Por (high-sticking), 12:16. Hyman, Sea (hooking), 16:48. Iverson, Por (slashing), 20:00.

Shots on goal – Seattle 6-10-17 33, Portland 13-3-6 22. Goalies – Seattle, Toth 22 shots-20 saves (15-14-1-0); Portland, Kehler 33-30 (16-13-0-0). Power plays – Seattle 0-4; Portland 0-5. A – 10,947. Referees – Adam Griffiths, Dexter Rasmussen. Linesmen – Jarrod Bowman, Scott Mackey.