23 out of 23. That is how many saves Seattle Thunderbirds goaltender Landon Bow made on Wednesday night, resulting in not only another win for the Birds over the Everett Silvertips but also a shutout game. It wasn’t a slow night, either; the T-Birds were able to put 5 goals on the board for a total score of 5-0. That makes two wins out of five for the second round of playoffs for the Birds. The Silvertips have still won a game, too, but there are two left, assuming that we won’t need extra games, and even though the Birds are in the lead, it is still very much anyone’s win.

We will take this win, though! Bow now has two playoff shutouts under his belt, the first in the first round of playoffs against the Prince George Cougars with the same score, 5-0. Like that game, this was one of the most skillful matches the team has ever pulled off. They effectively blocked three big power plays from the Silvertips in the first twelve minutes of the game, a full turnaround from the way Everett was practically predicting every move the Birds made last fall. There was no scoring, but it was still a very impressive first period.

Seattle started racking up the points during the second period when Scott Eansor scored a goal with assists from Ethan Bear and Turner Ottenbreit. Bear in turn scored the next goal, assisted by Matthew Barzal and Nolan Volcan. Kolesar scored a third goal during the second period, assisted by Barzal and Volcan. During the third period, Ottenbreit took a turn at scoring with assists made by Volcan and Leth. The fifth and final goal of the night was scored by Neuls, with assists from Barzal and Smith.

There were barely even any penalties—it was a good, clean game with lots of hard work. Silvertips goalie Hart did not have the best night, being replaced after Seattle scored their fifth goal.

Game 4 will be at the Xfinity Arena again on Friday night. The puck drops at 7:35. The Birds and the Tips will return to Seattle on Saturday for the fifth and possibly final round at the ShoWare Center. Tickets are still on sale so be sure to get them if you want to make this potential last game! The box office is open Monday through Friday from 10 to 5 and on weekend game days starting at noon.

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia