T-Birds zap Rockets in OT, take 2-0 series lead | WHL playoffs

For the second consecutive game, the Seattle Thunderbirds and Kelowna Rockets needed overtime to decide a playoff game.

And for the second consecutive night, the T-Birds came out on top, scoring the overtime winner, to win the game 2-1 and take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven first round WHL playoff series.

The series shifts to Seattle for Game 3 on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. at the ShoWare Center and Game 4 at 7:05 p.m. Wednesday.

Seth Swenson took a shot that Kelowna goalie Jordon Cooke stopped but the rebound came to Jesse Forsberg in the left circle. Forsberg made a cross slot pass to Alexander Delnov at the right post. Cooke went down thinking it was a shot and Delnov redirected the pass past the prone goalie for the winning goal at 2:41 of overtime.

In Game 1 Friday night, Luke Lockhart scored the overtime game-winning goal to give the T-Birds a 5-4 win. Since 1996 this was the eighth time the T-Birds and Rockets had played an overtime playoff game. The T-Birds have won six of the eight overtime playoff games between the two teams.

Both teams had three shots on goal in a scoreless first period.

Kelowna (0-2) took a 1-0 lead at 13:28 of the second period when Cole Linaker scored on a breakaway. Henrik Nyberg and Colton Heffley had the assists.

The Rockets outshot the T-Birds 10-9 in the second period and led 13-12 in total shots after two periods.

Seattle (2-0) tied the game 1-1 at 10:08 of the third period. Defenseman Jared Hauf got a loose puck at the top of the left circle. He skated towards the high slot and put a hard wrist shot on goal that beat Kelowna goalie Jordon Cooke over the blocker. Hauf had 11 assists during the

regular season but no goals.

Both teams had six shots on goal in the third period and Kelowna led 19-18 in shots after regulation.

Kelowna outshot Seattle 3-1 in overtime and 22-19 in the game.

Seattle goalie Brandon Glover is now 2-0 in the playoffs after stopping 21 of 22 shots.

Cooke made 17 saves on 19 shots and his playoff record is now 0-2.

Playoff tickets, promotions

The T-Birds will continue the popular 2-for-Tuesday promotion for Game 3. This means all tickets will be two-for-one and all beer, soda, popcorn and hot dogs will be $2. The 2-for-Tuesday group ticket special will also apply for Game 3. Fans that buy 20 tickets will get 20 tickets FREE for a total of 40 tickets. The 2-for-Tuesday promotion will also apply to Game 6 if this game is played.

The T-Birds have a ticket special for Game 4. Fans that purchase eight premium seats will receive two free tickets for total of 10 tickets to Game 4.

Purchase 10 Tickets for the Price of 8 for Game 4 Now

Contact the T-Birds at 253-239-PUCK (7825) or stbirds@seattlethunderbirds.com to purchase Game 3 2-for-Tuesday group playoff tickets, the Game 4 get 10 tickets for the price of 8 special or a for a 10-game playoff ticket package.

SCORING SUMMARY

First period – No scoring. Penalties – Kambeitz, Sea (tripping), 4:41. Sheen, Sea (roughing), 7:23. Baillie, Kel (roughing), 7:23. Olsen, Kel (interference), 8:22. Hauf, Sea (interference), 12:50. Wardley, Sea (charging), 15:19. Frank, Kel (slashing),18:45. Hauf, Sea (roughing), 18:45.

Second period – 1, Kelowna, Linaker 1 (Nyberg, Heffley), 13:28. Penalties – Linaker, Kel (delay of game), 5:40. Bell, Kel (cross checking), 15:53. Honey, Sea (roughing), 19:15. Baillie, Kel (roughing), 19:15.

Third period – 2, Seattle, Hauf 1, 10:08. Penalties – No penalties.

Overtime – 3, Seattle, Delnov 1 (Forsberg, Swenson), 2:41. Penalties – No penalties.

Shots on goal – Seattle 3-9-6-1 19, Kelowna 3-10-6-3 22. Goalies – Seattle, Glover 22 shots-21 saves (2-0); Kelowna, Cooke 19-17 (1-1). Power plays – Seattle 0-3; Kelowna 0-3. A – 5,578. Referees – Ryan Benbow, Brett Iverson. Linesmen – Mike Langin, Ward Pateman.