Thunderbirds win in overtime to open home schedule

On the road, the Seattle Thunderbirds started off the season winless. An overtime loss in Vancouver, a blowout in Wenatchee and a 5-3 loss at Kamloops were the T-Birds’ results so far in the 2024-25 season.

All of that bad luck and losing came to a head as the Thunderbirds toppled the Wenatchee Wild in the home opener in overtime 5-4 on Sept. 28.

“It’s a nice boost,” Head Coach Matt O’Dette said. “We needed to dig deep, and our fans gave us a nice boost.”

The first period was relatively harmless. Neither side created a ton of opportunities on goal, but a couple of cerebral saves by Grayson Malinoski kept the clean sheet for the Thunderbirds.

“We have been working hard in all our games, just coming up a little short with a few minor mistakes, but it feels good for sure,” Nishaan Parmar said.

As far as action packed periods go, the second period was one to behold for the 5,007 attendees. Seattle got on the board first by rookie Brendan Rudolph after a Sam Charko shot bounced right to Rudolph’s feet and he disposed of it.

“He’s a guy that has tremendous speed and creates lots of chances. I think that’ll be the first of many in his WHL career,” O’Dette said.

Wenatchee answered the call three minutes later after Malinoski was given a delay of game penalty creating a four-on-four window. Josh Fluker scored his first of the season at the 6:10 mark, which set off a 58 second span of three goals in the game, and all were scored four-on-four.

Seattle then responded and picked up their goaltender to take the lead again in the second. This time, Nathan Pilling sent a wrist shot, which deflected in the air, and Coster Dunn got just enough stick on it to put it in the net for a 2-1 lead.

“We got a lot of young guys here. A lot of them are coming together early, it is real big. Young goalie in net we pick him up and we bounce back,” Parmar said.

“That’s what you have to do. You pick each other up… Sometime mistakes happen and you keep playing and that is what we did,” said O’Dette.

After the Seattle lead, the Wild went on to score three consecutive goals. Kenta Isogai tied the game just 16 seconds later. “That’s junior hockey. It can be pretty volatile with the ups and downs during the game,” O’Dette said.

The Thunderbirds thought they had taken a 3-2 lead with 11:00 left in the second period, but the officials deemed Vanek Popill’s goal to not count because of a Thunderbird in the crease.

Seeming to pounce on the dead air in the building, Wenatchee broke the tie. Chase Bambrick hit a slap shot from the point that deflected off Kazden Mathies which sent Malinoski the wrong direction for the 3-2 Wild lead.

Wenatchee also opened up the third period with a goal as well. Just under two minutes into the period Malinoski got five-holed by Ty Frasier and Seattle was staring down a four straight game without a win.

All the Wild momentum came to a screeching halt when Nishaan Parmar found Arjun Bawa for the third goal of the game for the Thunderbirds, but more importantly pulled Wenatchee within reach.

Late in the third, Seattle went on the penalty kill with Bawa in the penalty box for a slash on the forecheck. It appeared he was able to steal the puck, but the referee said he got the hand of the Wild and went to the box.

With eight second left on the penalty kill, Dunn stole the puck and was on the break with Sam Charko to his left. Instead of taking the shot, he dished the puck to Charko, who one-timed the shot into the back of the net for his first career WHL goal and the game tying goal.

Coster’s unselfish play might have been the play of the night if not for overtime.

“When he is at his best, he’s all over the puck, creating turnovers and has a high engine out there. He’s been that for us this year. He’s been one of our key guys and is bringing leadership to the team as well,” O’Dette said.

Charko played 58 games for Seattle last season and couldn’t find a goal all season. But he now has one, and it was an impactful goal to say the least.

“He kept working, it’s nice to see him rewarded. He did a good job on the penalty kill, that was a big shorthanded goal for us,” O’Dette said.

This game went to overtime, and it was clear the Thunderbirds were the side destined to win. In overtime, Seattle out-shot Wenatchee three to none. But no shot was bigger than Nishaan Parmar’s backhand shot right in front of the net to win the game and send accesso Showare Center into a frenzy.

“I’m feeling pretty good. Last year got off to a rough start, this one is much better obviously. But never satisfied, gotta keep pushing,” Parmar said.

Seattle’s next home game is Oct. 4 against the Prince George Cougars as the Thunderbirds look to beat the Cougars for the first time since an 8-1 win back on Dec. 13, 2022.

Braeden Cootes absorbs the hit from a Wentachee Wild player. Photo taken by Brian Liesse / The Seattle Thunderbirds

Seattle Thunderbird winger Arjun Bawa celebrates his goal against the Wenatchee Wild. Photo taken by Brian Liesse / The Seattle Thunderbirds