T-Birds grind out Game 1 victory | WHL playoffs

For the Reporter

The Seattle Thunderbirds defeated the Everett Silvertips 2-1 in Game 1 of their first-round Western Hockey League playoff series.

The teams meet in Everett at 4:05 Sunday afternoon before the best-of-seven Western Conference series returns to Kent for Game 3 at 7:05 p.m. Tuesday.

“It’s the playoffs now and it’s a whole new season,” said captain Justin Hickman, who was happy to see his team take the 1-0 series lead.

Taran Kozun stopped 38 of 39 shots in the game and got the win, his first in the playoffs. Austin Lotz was in goal for Everett and stopped 20 of 22 shots.

Seattle took a 2-0 lead after the first period, and it held up.

The T-Birds worked the puck around the zone quickly and had a few more attempts before taking the lead at 2:27. Ethan Bear pinched down to ensure Seattle kept possession. The team then worked the puck to Roberts Lipsbergs, who had his shot fought off by Lotz. Jaimen Yakubowski and Russell Maxwell attacked the rebound, with Maxwell poking it into the back of the net to make it 1-0. Yakubowski and Lipsbergs had the assists.

“I was really fortunate to get a lucky bounce and get a goal” said Maxwell, who was playing in his first WHL playoff game. “It feels good to play a game that’s not just another game … there’s a lot more enthusiasm.”

Alexander Delnov almost made it 2-0 at 5:18. Delnov got the puck between the faceoff circles and beat Lotz but the puck banged off the post and Lotz was able to recover and force a faceoff.

Seattle took a penalty at 5:36, giving Everett a chance at 5-on-4 hockey. Bad luck struck the Silvertips early in their man advantage when they shot the puck off the post on just their third shot of the game. Jujhar Khaira had another chance for the visitors from deep in the slot that Kozun caught, and Everett took a penalty to end their power play as they jabbed away at the puck.

Kozun drew a goaltender interference call at the period’s halfway point, giving Seattle their third power play of the game and resulting in a goal. Theodore extended the Seattle lead to 2-0 at 11:44. Mathew Barzal tossed a pass across the zone to Branden Troock. Troock passed up a sharp angle shot and gave it to Shea Theodore at the top of the offensive zone. Theodore beat Lotz through traffic for his first goal of the playoffs.

“It brings a lot of confidence to me and the team (to get an early lead9,” said Kozun, who was able to play “more relaxed” in net after Seattle scored twice.

The Silvertips responded with pressure, but the T-Birds stood tall and kept their lead despite numerous opportunities.

In the second period, Everett scored on a power play, making it 2-1.

But once again, the T-Birds stood tall, stopping Everett’s attack and even creating two shorthanded chances that slowed down the visitors. Kozun was unaffected by the penalty-heavy beginning to the second, saying that “I’ve just got to be the best penalty killer out there … and make a couple big saves if I have to.”

Troock and Lipsbergs nearly gave Seattle a third goal at 15:50. Troock collected the puck off a defensive zone faceoff and flew down the ice past the Everett defense. The winger tried to feed Lipsbergs on the rush, but the Silvertips’ defenseman was able to get his stick into the play in time to break it up.

Kozun started the third period just as hot as he had left off. The goalie made a flashy glove save on the rush and knocked the puck out of the air with his stick to make the only two saves of the first three minutes

Everett got their sixth power play four minutes into the period, giving them a chance to tie the game. Kozun continued to shine and, combined with a few clearances by Yakubowski and Jared Hauf, kept the Silvertips off the board to protect the one-goal lead.

Big raffle, big donation

The Thunderbirds Community Sports Foundation owes a big thank you to fans at Game 1 that took part in the 50/50 raffle. The Foundation donated its share of the 50/50 at Game 1, $3,391.50, to the Tim Bozon Trust. Tim, a member of the Kootenay Ice, was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Royal University Hospital on March 1, and was diagnosed with Neisseria Meningitis. The Trust will help Tim’s family cover his medical expenses.

Playoff tickets

Tickets are on sale online at the T-Birds website and at the ShoWare Center box office. The ShoWare Center Box Office is open Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday game days at 10 a.m. and Sunday game days at noon.

SCORING SUMMARY

First period – 1, Seattle, Maxwell 1 (Yakubowski, Lipsbergs), 2:27 (pp). 2, Seattle, Theodore 1 (Troock, Barzal), 11:44 (pp). Penalties – Hayer, Everett (boarding), :57. Hickman, Seattle (boarding), 5:36. Leedahl, Everett (slashing), 6:15. Khaira, Everett (goaltender interference), 9:56. Hickman, Seattle (goaltender interference), 19:27.

Second period – 3, Everett, Bajkov 1 (Winquist, Nikolishin), 2:43 (pp).Penalties – Theodore, Seattle (roughing), 1:23. Maxwell, Seattle (tripping),2:09. Wardley, Seattle (charging), 4:28.

Third period – No scoring. Penalties – Wardley, Seattle (kneeing), 4:46. MacDonald, Everett (tripping), 15:47.

Shots on goal – Seattle 12-4-6 22, Everett 12-20-7 39. Goalies – Seattle, Kozun 39 shots-38 saves (1-0); Everett, Lotz 22-20 (0-1). Power plays -Seattle 2-4; Everett 1-6. A – 4,560. Referees – Kevin Bennett, Jeff Ingram.Linesmen – Bevan Mills, Nathan Van Oosten.