DUBNetwork Feature game of the night: Thunderbirds at Winterhawks 4 PM PST
It’s an all bird contest today in the Western Hockey League as the Seattle Thunderbirds head to the Rose City to take flight against the Winterhawks in the only WHL action on Sunday. Coming into this game Portland leads the season series by a 6-2 margin with Portland winning the last five straight meetings between the teams.
The Seattle Thunderbirds (23-27-5-1) are looking to stretch their back-to-back wins into a three game winning streak this afternoon at the Moda Centre. It hasn’t been easy wins for the T-birds either, one win against Everett, and another against the Red Deer Rebels. The determining factor tonight will be the T-Birds goaltending as from the looks of it, in the last five games if the Birds allow four goals or more, their chances of winning plummet.
Despite being pointless in his last game, Henry Rybinski has been red hot for Seattle in the last three games. Rybinski a 2001-born Vancouver native has enjoyed six points in his last four games counting in with two goals and four assists over that span. Rybinski’s story is intriguing as in Medicine Hat it appears he couldn’t find his fit only notching five points in 14 games. When he was traded to Seattle earlier this season something instantly changed. In 21 games thus far with the T-Birds, Rybinski has 20 points. Something the second round bantam draft pick was surely hunting for at the Major Junior level.
The Portland Winterhawks (34-16-3-3) are in search of only their third win in their last five games looking to duel with the Silvertips atop the US Division standings. The Winterhawks were treated to a 2-0 shutout victory over the Red Deer Rebels last night, Joel Hofer stopped all 25 shots he faced, and Cody Glass scored in his return to the lineup. Having Glass back has to be a welcome gift for the Hawks who were hurting for offense more than usual with him gone.
With Shane Farkas slated to start tonight, the Winterhawks will just hope to continue into the same rhythm that has made them winners of the last five games against Seattle. Farkas has been a solid back up to Joel Hofer, something that makes them an even scarier squad with goaltending depth. Farkas comes in having not allowed more than one goal in his last four starts.
Expected in goal:
- Roddy Ross (SEA) 2.801 GAA, .914 SV%- Ross comes in after only letting in one goal against the Silvertips last night.
- Shane Farkas (POR) 2.744 GAA, .905 SV%- Farkas has been rock solid lately, has not lost a game since January 20th.
