WHL Thunderbirds Shock Powerhouse Winterhawks At CPA, 5-4 In OT

Glenn Dreyfuss

Mar 18, 2024, 06:40

Glenn Dreyfuss

Mar 18, 2024, 06:40

T-Birds Rally Behind Sawyer Mynio's Two Assists, Overtime Winner

"On any given Sunday..."

The phrase made popular for giving hope to NFL underdogs, also applied this Sunday at Climate Pledge Arena.

The ice surface was turned over to the Western Hockey League for "The Battle On The Sound." The host Seattle Thunderbirds and visiting Portland Winterhawks gave 6,343 fans all the twists, turns, thrills and surprises worthy of a showcase game.

When it was finally decided by Sawyer Mynio's goal at 3:59 of overtime, the T-Birds had ridden goalie Scott Ratzlaff's 52 (!) saves to a 5-4 upset victory.

We describe the game action below in captions to accompany Jonathan Streeter's fine photography. Thanks, Jon!

Following last season's run to the Memorial Cup, this has been a down year for the Thunderbirds, 9th in the WHL's 11-team Western Conference.

The powerhouse Portland Winterhawks are second in the same conference, with a dominant 46-15-4 record.

For two reasons, this was a familiar return for the Thunderbirds franchise.

First, this is the third consecutive season the T-Birds have participated in "The Battle On The Sound."

Second, the franchise played several seasons underneath the same roof, when the arena was called Seattle Center Coliseum. First game: October 7th, 1989.

Seattle goalie Scott Ratzlaff (33) made 21 saves in the first period, which ended 1-1.

Portland defenseman Tyson Jugnauth (white uniform), was a 4th round draft choice by the Seattle Kraken in 2022. His two assists helped the Winterhawks to a 4-2 lead.

Ratzlaff made 17 saves in the 2nd period; Portland outshot Seattle 42-18 though 40 minutes.

Jeremy Hanzel (4), here defending, scored the 4-4 tying goal for the T-Birds early in the 3rd.

Seattle captain Jordan Gustafson (7) and Portland alt. captain Nate Danielson (89) talk it out. The T-Birds killed a penalty which extended through the final 30 sec. of regulation and into OT.

Sawyer Mynio (43), shown earlier clearing the puck, wins the game for Seattle with 1:01 remaining in overtime, 5-4. Mynio had assisted on both of his team's 3rd period power play goals.

Mynio's teammates appear pleased by this turn of events.

The Thunderbirds have four games remaining in their season, which will not include the WHL playoffs.

Seattle hosts the Kamloops Blazers Tuesday at accesso ShoWare Center in Kent, WA, the first of their final three home games.