Below is a brief season-by-season history of the Breakers, the team later renamed the Thunderbirds for the start of the season. During the era of the Breakers, the WHL was a wild league known as much for the frequency and ferocity of its fights as for its talent level. Given the often odd events that seemed to follow the Breakers, comparisons to the movie Slap Shot are more than appropriate.
There was some excitement in Seattle, as the Breakers played an exhibition game against the Moscow Selects, an all-star team of Russians which was touring North America. The overmatched Breakers lost a competitive contest by a final score of Seattle was led offensively by the league's fourth leading scorer, Errol Rausse, who tallied 62 goals and 92 assists during the 72 game season.
Another important player in the Breakers success was Ryan Walter left who finished the season with points 54 goals and 71 assists in only 62 games.
Errol Rausse again led the team in scoring, with 65 goals and 47 assists. He was also named the league's Most Sportsmanlike Player. Another highlight was the play of defenseman Tim Hunter who scored 49 points while racking up penalty minutes.
Hunter later went on to a long and distinguished NHL career. No members of the team were named to the all-star team. The Breakers started the season consistently with a record as of January Then the bottom completely fell out and the team went over their next 18 games including 14 straight losses.
Amazingly at the end of this slide, they won 10 of the final 13 games of the season to finish third in the West, posting a record under new coach Monte Miron. The Breakers continued to struggle at the gate, drawing around 1, fans per game.
The Breakers faced the Russians in an exhibition for the second time in three years, this time taking on Moscow Spartak of the Soviet First Division on December 12, A crowd of 2, was on hand as the Russians beat the Breakers , quite an accomplishment for the junior players from Seattle and Portland against a much older and more experienced Soviet squad. Danny Held led the way with a hat trick, and John Neeld had four assists. And with that little bit of excitement, the period ended.
Chilliwack added two more goals in the period, bringing the score to in favor of the Bruins. For the third period, I headed onto the ice and between the benches in order to get a clearer view of the third period action where hopefully the T-Birds could produce another comeback…. Center Colin Jacobs tries to poke the puck away from Chillwack right wing Blair Wentworth near center ice early on in the third period.
Center Justin Hickman middle is flanked by fellow center Tyler Alos background. Later in the possession Hickman found himself in position to take a shot on goal, but was denied by Gore.
About halfway through the third period, Elliot found himself right in front of the net when Toomey knocked the puck towards Mitch. In the third period, the T-Birds very much controlled the game, earning a whopping 25 shots on goal while limiting the Bruins to just Late in the power play, Brendan Dillon fired a shot towards the Chilliwack goal.
After Toomey redirected it, Colin Jacobs finished the play by powering it into the back of the net. And with the game tied, the T-Birds had to stop the Bruins from scoring for two more minutes in order to get into overtime. That effort was helped by this interception of a Chilliwack pass by defenseman Travis Bobbee. And in the closing moments of the game, Button had a decent opportunity to put the T-Birds up and prevent the Bruins for earning a point.
In the overtime period, the Bruins actually outshot the T-Birds six to four. None of those attempts were successful however, as Pickard made six of his 37 saves in the overtime period. For the shootout, the T-Birds bench got their rally helmets on flipped their helmets around in an attempt to will the team to victory. I think they may be onto something here… it was obviously successful.
After the first shooters for both teams both converted their chances. Second up for Chilliwack was center Kevin Sundher. Before Sundher could take a shot, however, Pickard poke-checked the puck away, ending the attempt. The third shooter for Chilliwack, left wing Roman Horak hit the post during his attempt, sealing the win for the T-Birds.
The team rushed onto the ice to celebrate the two points, many still wearing their rally helmets. There was a lot of celebration and numerous hugs on the ice after game, including this exchange between Pickard and Toomey.
It will surely take more than this single win to propel the T-Birds into the playoffs, but the way the team came back from a two-goal deficit suggests that the last few weeks of the season will have plenty of intrigue…. I appreciate any and all comments you have on this post or any other one; just leave one in the comments section below! First off, what a game last Sunday!
The T-Birds broke their eight game home losing streak in exciting fashion, coming back from a goal deficit to nab a win against Spokane, the number two team in the conference. As for game 26, I ended up going through photos from this game first, so that post will come later in the week.
Sorry for being out of order. Onto the photos…. Right wing Marcel Noebels takes a shot on goal but Spokane goalie Mac Engel is there to block it from the net. The attempt was wide, however. Pickard tries to stay with Spokane center Anthony Bardaro as Bardaro crosses in front of the net with the puck. With the period ending, the score was still Spokane. For the second period, I moved down to the area behind the Spokane goal.
During the period, the T-Birds had a bit more shots on goal—16 as to 11 in the first—and they converted one of those shots as well. I had a nice view of one of those attempts, this one by center Tyler Alos early on into the period, and got a good string of photos from it…. Center Tyler Alos gains possession and takes a shot on goal early in the second period.
The shot was blocked by Engel. Left wing Mitch Elliot left centers the puck by passing the puck to Alos, positioned in front of the Spokane net.
So take my word for it when I say the T-Birds went into the third period in a one-all deadlock. I took my usual third-period spot between the benches. Instead of the goal, I got a decent photo of him leaping in excitement originally not posted , then he jumped onto the other players celebrating the goal, giving me a nice frame….
Being down a goal, Spokane started pressing the attack, leaving the T-Birds to defend and hold onto their lead. Center Brendan Rouse did his part, checking defenseman Tanner Mort and separating him from the puck. That fight energized the fans—for the rest of the game ShoWare was rocking—and it really energized the T-Birds players. They used the excitement generated from the fight as motivation to keep playing strong. Once play resumed again, the T-Birds were still under siege from the Spokane attack.
Pickard gets his leg pads in front of a Spokane shot during the third period. He made 28 saves in the third alone, and 57 overall on the night. After withstanding a ten minute long offensive onslaught, during which the T-Birds killed off nearly two minutes of a 5-on-3 power play and added an empty-net goal by Burke Gallimore, the clock hit triple-zeroes and the game was final.
With their win, the T-Birds snapped their eight game home losing streak and gained two points, which may turn out to be an important two points in the playoff race. Indeed, there was a lot to celebrate Sunday night, so the T-Birds met on the ice to enjoy their win. Tune in later this week for more photos and as always, let me know what you think about my photos in the comment section below.
For the second home game of the season, the Thunderbirds played host to the Lethbridge Hurricanes. The hits started early as shortly into the first period, Lethbridge defenseman Brennan Yadlowski left, 9 tried to start a shoving match with T-Birds center Travis Toomey middle, There were, though, a couple fights during the first period.
Unfortunately the referee was in between me and the two fighters throughout the whole thing and ruined every shot taken during it, but I did manage to get a frame when they were finally separated. Ryckman hit Lund in response, and the fight was on. Between Ciona's suspension, the five lead changes on Friday and the post-game skirmish on Saturday, the stage has been set for a ferocious season series between the two U. Division foes.
The Silvertips hit the road this weekend for a set of games with the Portland Winterhawks. Puck drop is scheduled for p. PDT on Friday and p. PDT on Saturday. Everett returns home Friday, Oct. Big Rig Skater Zone Exceptional strength and agility when driving the net in puck protect. Big Tipper Skater Superstar Advanced speed, accuracy, and range when deflecting shots. Big Tipper Skater Zone Exceptional speed, accuracy, and range when deflecting shots. Born Leader Skater Superstar Provides a large energy boost for all skaters on the team after this player scores a goal.
Born Leader Skater Zone Provides a considerable energy boost for all skaters on the team after this player scores a goal. Bounce Back Skater Superstar Reduces the chance of injury with advanced recovery speed from injuries. Player can only be injured once in a game. Bouncer Skater Superstar Advanced at battles around the net. Greatly increases stability, stick tension, and limb strength around the net. Crease Crasher Skater Superstar Advanced ability to corral bouncing pucks off rebounds.
Greatly increases shot accuracy on rebounds. Crease Crasher Skater Zone Exceptional ability to corral bouncing pucks off rebounds. Greatly increases shot accuracy on rebounds Elite Edges Skater Superstar Advanced maneuverability with ability to turn tight corners while retaining high speed. Note: Always active. Elite Edges Skater Zone Exceptional maneuverability with ability to turn tight corners while retaining high speed.
Indicator is triggered when defender is burned. Ice Pack Skater Superstar Advanced shot-blocking ability with additional range. Greatly improves recovery from blocked shots. Reduced injury and stagger chance. In reverse Skater Superstar Advanced speed and acceleration when back skating. Greatly increases the ability to pivot from forward skating to backward skating. Note: Always active when back skating. In Reverse Skater Zone Exceptional speed and acceleration when back skating. Indicator triggers when defending a player on offense.
It's Tricky Skater Zone Exceptional at performing trick dekes while greatly increasing shot accuracy out of trick dekes. Its Tricky Skater Superstar Advanced at performing trick dekes while greatly increasing shot accuracy out of trick dekes. Magnetic Skater Superstar Advanced skill at picking up pucks at speed, corralling bouncing or rolling pucks, and reeling in less than ideal passes Magnetic Skater Zone Exceptional skill at picking up pucks at speed, corralling bouncing or rolling pucks, and reeling in less than ideal passes Make it Snappy Skater Superstar Advanced power and accuracy when taking snapshots while skating.
Make it Snappy Skater Zone Exceptional power and accuracy when taking snapshots while skating. No Contest Skater Superstar Advanced stick tension and strength when going into pickups, resulting in more wins when battling for the puck. No Contest Skater Zone Exceptional stick tension and strength when going into pickups, resulting in more wins when battling for the puck.
Off the Rush Skater Superstar Advanced power and accuracy when taking slap shots while skating. Off the Rush Skater Zone Exceptional power and accuracy when taking slap shots while skating. One Tee Skater Superstar Advanced power and accuracy on one timers. Greatly increase his ability to one time less than ideal passes. One Tee Skater Zone Exceptional power and accuracy on one timers. Puck on a String Skater Superstar Advance toe drag and stick handling speed. Greatly increases effectiveness on tie up wins.
Great at defensive zone draws. Quick Draw Skater Zone Exceptional quickness on faceoff draws. Quick Pick Skater Superstar Advance at intercepting pucks. Also significantly increases a player range when intercepting pucks.
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