The Seattle Thunderbirds kept their playoff hopes alive Wednesday night, April 1, defeating the Penticton Vees 4-3 in Game Four of their first-round Western Hockey League playoff series at the accesso ShoWare Center in Kent.
Facing elimination, the T-Birds leaned on a standout performance from goaltender Marek Sklenicka, who made 50 saves to secure the victory and force a Game Five in Penticton.
Seattle opened the scoring for the first time in the series, with Joe Gramer netting a goal late in the first period. The Thunderbirds extended their lead in the second, building a 4-0 advantage before Penticton mounted a late comeback.
The Vees scored three unanswered goals, including two in the third period, to cut the deficit to one. However, Sklenicka turned away multiple late chances to preserve the win.
“It was a pretty low event first. We were pretty efficient, managing it well,” head coach Matt O’Dette said of the opening period. “We managed to get the lead, which was nice.”
The victory shifts momentum back toward Seattle as the best-of-seven series continues, with Game Five set for Friday night, April 3 in Penticton. If necessary, Game Six would return to Kent on Sunday, April 5.
#LetsGoBirds
Buy Thunderbirds Playoff Tickets Here
Follow the T-Birds!
For more info, please click below:
https://chl.ca/whl-thunderbirds
Or follow them here:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SeattleThunderbirds/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seattlethunderbirds/
- Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@seattlethunderbirds
- X.com: https://x.com/SeattleTbirds
- Threads: https://www.threads.com/@seattlethunderbirds
The Thunderbirds play their home games at accesso ShoWare Center in Kent:
