Ross pulls out all the stops as Thunderbirds deny Silvertips

Volcan scores both goals in 2-1 victory over Everett

March 10, 2019 9:30 am
Thunderbirds defenseman Simon Kubicek (2) and the Silvertips’ Jackson Berezowski (17) battle for position as Seattle goalie Roddy Ross prepares to smother the puck during WHL play Saturday night. COURTESY PHOTO, Brian Liesse, T-Birds

Roddy Ross put on a goal-tending clinic to lead the Seattle Thunderbirds to a 2-1 Western Hockey League victory over the Everett Silvertips in front of 5,776 fans at the accesso ShoWare Center on Saturday night.

Seattle’s magic number is one to clinch the second wild-card playoff spot in the Western Conference. The T-Birds can secure the spot with a win on Kent ice against the Vancouver Giants on Tuesday. Face-off is 7:05 p.m. at ShoWare.

Ross had 16 saves in the first period, 17 saves in the second period and 13 more in the third period. Ross is 14-4-1-2 since signing with Seattle in January.

Ross stood tall after the T-Birds were called for checking from behind with 1:51 left in the game. Everett pulled goalie Dustin Wolf for the extra attacker and a six-on-four man advantage. Seattle blocked several shots and battled to the end to win the game.

Nolan Volcan grabbed the T-Birds a 1-0 lead at 9:34 of the second period with a power-play goal. Simon Kubicek took a slap shot from center ice with Volcan in the slot. Volcan tipped the shot down, and it went through Wolf. Sean Richards had the second assist.

Everett tied the game 1-1 at 14:37 of the second on a goal from Robbie Holmes. Connor Dewar and Zack Andrusiak has the assists.

Volcan scored the winning goal with 2:21 left in the game. Matthew Wedman took a shot from the right circle that hit the end boards and came to Volcan at the low left circle. Volcan threw the puck on the net as Wolf lunged to get over but could not make the save. Simon Kubicek had the second assist.

For tickets, visit the T-Birds website or the ShoWare box office.

Fans who purchase the 24-flex ticket package will be able to select any available premium seat for any game, in any ticket combination, during the 2018-19 season.

SCORING SUMMARY

First period – No scoring. Penalties – McNelly, Sea (cross checking), 4:30. McNelly, Sea (major-fighting), 8:09. Mitchell, Evt (major-fighting), 8:09. Wedman, Sea (tripping), 15:20.

Second period – 1, Seattle, Volcan 22 (Kubicek, Richards), 9:34 (pp). 2, Everett, Holmes 12 (Dewar, Andrusiak), 14:37. Penalties – Vitelli, Evt (hooking), 7:43.

Third period – 3, Seattle, Volcan 24 (Wedman, Kubicek), 17:39. Penalties – Bauer, Sea (checking from behind), 18:09.

Shots on goal – Seattle 3-10-7 20, Everett 16-18-13 47. Goalies – Seattle, Ross 47 shots-46 saves (14-4-1-2); Everett, Wolf 20-18 (41-14-2-1). Power plays – Seattle 1-1; Everett 0-3. A – 5,776. Referees – Kyle Kowalski, Steve Papp. Linesmen – Adam Harris, Michael McGowan.