T-birds trip up Chiefs

The Seattle Thunderbirds hadn’t lost three games in a row this season, and they were determined not to let the Spokane Chiefs make that happen on Tuesday night at the Arena.

The Thunderbirds flipped the switch and broke open a tie game after two periods, scoring two goals in the first 10 minutes, 18 seconds of the third period en route to a 4-2 Western Hockey League win over the Chiefs before an announced crowd of 3,707.

Despite the loss, Spokane (16-22-8-1, 41 points) remained in fourth place in the U.S. Division, ahead of idle Tri-City (39 points). Seattle retained its lead in the division and plays host to fifth-place Tri-City tonight. The Americans can tie the Chiefs in the standings with a win. Spokane hosts Kamloops on Saturday.

Seattle (32-13-0-1, 65 points) jumped to a 2-0 lead in the first period on a pair of unassisted goals just seven seconds apart in the first 10 minutes of the game.

The first one came at 9:09 when Spokane goalie Jim Watt attempted to glove a Matthew Hansen shot from just inside the blue line, but only slowed it. It went off his glove and trickled into the net.

After the ensuing face-off, Mitch Fadden split the Spokane defense and got it past Watt from between the circles to make it 2-0 at 9:16.

At that point, Seattle was outshooting Spokane 8-2 and the Chiefs weren’t playing with much inspiration. They would hold on for the remainder of the period to keep themselves in the game.

Spokane took advantage of its chances in the second period, tying the game with two goals despite being outshot 16-5 in the period.

The first score, a short-handed goal by Michael Grabner at 5:07, sparked the Chiefs. He deflected in a shot by defenseman Sean Zimmerman, who sent in his own rebound from the right circle. The night was a bit of a breakthrough for Grabner, who also had an assist, as he had scored one point in his last 12 games.

“It felt good to get it going again,” the Austrian import said. “I’m starting to feel comfortable with my line and we’re playing well together.”

After Grabner’s goal, Spokane starting playing with more intensity and started hitting harder. Meanwhile, Watt went from solid to spectacular in net as Seattle responded with an increased effort, hitting Watt with a barrage of shots.

The Chiefs tied the game at 2 at the 12:34 mark of the second. That’s when recently acquired defenseman Dan Mercer scored his first goal as a Chief with a blast from the right circle along the boards that went through the five-hole of Seattle goalie Gavin McHale. The play was started when Joe Logan broke the puck out of the Spokane defensive zone and left a pair of T-birds in his wake on the ice.

Seattle regained the lead for good at 5:31 of the third as Aaron Gagnon put a rebound past Watt after a breakdown found three T-birds on the doorstep.

Chad Klassen led a flurry in response, but the Chiefs couldn’t break through.

Seattle put the game out of reach at the 10:18 mark of the third, at 4-2, as Fadden scored his second of the game on a wrister from between the circles.

Thunderbirds 4, Chiefs 2

First period–1, Sea, Hansen 4 9:09 (pp); 2, Sea, Fadden 6 9:16. Key penalty – Engman, Spo (hooking) 8:28.

Second period– 3, Spo, Grabner 7 (Lapointe, Zimmerman) 5:07 (sh); 4, Spo, Mercer (Logan, Grabner) 12:34.

Third period– 5, Sea Gagnon 24 (Couture) 5:31; 6, Fadden 7 (Gibbons) 10:18.

Power-play opportunities–Seattle 1 of 3; Spokane 0 of 2. Saves–Seattle, Bridges 8-3-8–19. Spokane, Watt 9-16-11–36. A–3,707.