The closer we get to the playoff games, the more we think the Seattle Thunderbids will kill it this year. Every week we have more victories to celebrate and this past Saturday night was no different when the Birds took on the Portland Winterhawks at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum and won with a score of 3-2. Not only does this give them a winning streak of 10 for 10, but it also gives them a total of 14 wins in their last 15 games.

Nolan Volcan scored right away during the first period. Scott Eansor and Donovan Neuls had the assists. Portland scored during the first period as well, with the goal going to Dominic Turgeon and the assists to Jack Dougherty and Alex Schoenborn. During the second period, Ryan Gropp scored a goal with assists from Ethan Bear and Brandon Schuldhaus. Portland also made a goal during the second period when Rodrigo Abols scored. Keoni Texeira and Blake Heinrich made the assists on the second goal. Donovan Neuls made the final, game winning shot of the evening. Nolan Volcan and Scott Eansor had the assists, giving each of the three young men two points during the evening.

Overall, Seattle outshot Portland 47-31. No scoring occurred during the third period. Landon Bow blocked 29 shots out of 31, and his record now stands at 23-20-4-0. The Hawks pulled their goalie to try to win the game but the tactic failed. While there were a few penalties given for tripping, roughing, hooking and boarding, there were none given for major fighting during the entire game.

This makes the Birds carry an awesome stat compilation of 42-23-3-0, but it also makes them six points ahead of Everett. If you’ve been following closely, you’ll know that the Birds were trailing Everett by five points for the majority of the second half of the season, but Everett just lost to the Tri-City Americans the same night the Birds beat the Winterhawks—thereby giving Seattle even more of an advantage. If the Hawks beat the Tips in Portland this Sunday, the Birds will win the US Division.

Playoffs begin on March 25 at the ShoWare Center. The puck drops at 7:35 but the opposing team is yet to be determined. Game two, also at the ShoWare Center, will be on the next day at 7:05. Tickets are on sale at the box office and the T-Birds website.

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia