A BIRD BRAIN

Colin Jacobs and Marcel Noebels go in the 4th round of the NHL draft

2011-06-25T16:53:00.000-07:00

Two Thunderbirds were drafted earlier today in the 4th round of the NHL draft. Colin Jacobs was the 107th overall pick (Buffalo Sabres) and Marcel Noebels was the 118th overall pick (Philadelphia Flyers). The draft was held in St.Paul Minnesota.

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Steve Konowalchuk to be named Head Coach of the Seattle Thunderbirds

2011-06-15T19:24:00.000-07:00

On Thursday afternoon at 3 pm the Seattle Thunderbirds will announce that Steve Konowalchuk will be the new Head Coach taking over for Rob Sumner who was let go after seven seasons as bench boss.

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The Farwell Side: Russ Farwell talks about firing of Rob Sumner

2011-03-29T16:52:00.001-07:00

It was announced today that Rob Sumner was relieved of his duties as Head Coach of the Thunderbirds. I spoke to General Manager Russ Farwell about his decision to let Sumner go as well as other issues that face the team this off-season.

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Thunderbirds final report card

2011-03-24T18:04:00.001-07:00

A season that was exciting down to the next to last game ended in disappointing fashion for the Thunderbirds. They miss out on the playoffs for a second straight season. In fact they end up 10th in the Western Conference. After a solid first half where the Birds finished four games over .500 (15-11-3-4) the team went 12 games under .500 in the second half (12-24-2-1). That includes a nine game losing streak and 12 of 13 lost. It would be the second year in a row that a second half swoon would cost the team a shot at the playoffs.

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Thunderbirds end the season with OT loss to Americans

2011-03-21T01:48:00.000-07:00

On the final day of the season for the Thunderbirds a spirited effort ended in a 4-3 overtime loss at the hands of the Americans, a team they simply could not defeat all season long.

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Thunderbirds are eliminated from playoff race with loss to Portland

2011-03-19T23:43:00.001-07:00

he Thunderbirds knew coming into this game against Portland that they had to win to have any chance at making the playoffs. They found themselves down 5-3 with less than three minutes remaining and got to within one goal but they couldn't get the tying goal and therefore were eliminated from playoff contention.

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Thunderbirds are blanked in Spokane and are pushed to the brink of elimination

2011-03-18T22:58:00.000-07:00

With their playoff hopes already on thin ice the Thunderbirds drop a 5-0 decision to the Chiefs as their "tragic number" dwindles to one. One point not earned by the Birds over their final two games or one point earned by Everett will eliminate Seattle from post-season play.

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Pickard picks up first shutout of season as Birds keep playoff hopes alive in Kelowna

2011-03-16T22:22:00.001-07:00

With their playoffs hopes dangling from a very thin thread the Thunderbirds come up with a big road win as they defeat the Rockets 5-0.

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Thunderbirds lose to Cougars as playoff hopes dim

2011-03-13T01:33:00.000-08:00

The Thunderbirds miss out on a chance to move within one point of a playoff spot with a lackluster effort against the Cougars. Instead they now find themselves four points behind Everett and two points behind Kamloops with only four games remaining.

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Deja Vu in Kent as Gallimore scores in OT to give Birds the victory

2011-03-12T01:39:00.000-08:00

In yet another "must win" game the Thunderbirds controlled most of the play yet found themselves back in overtime needing the extra point once again. For the second straight game Burke Gallimore delivered with a power play goal to give the Birds the victory.

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A pair of 18's: Interviews with Brendan Rouse and Dave Sutter

2011-03-11T16:20:00.001-08:00

With the Thunderbirds fighting for a playoff spot heading into the final games of the regular season I sat down and spoke with 18 year old Forward Brendan Rouse and 18 year old Defenseman Dave Sutter. Rouse is in his second season with the Birds and Sutter is in his first season in the WHL.

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Marcel Noebels: From Tonisvorst to Seattle via hockey

2011-03-08T13:36:00.000-08:00

Marcel Noebels is the best import player the Seattle Thunderbirds have seen in about a decade. Most will say there is little to argue about with that statement. It's early March and the Thunderbirds are suddenly in a fight for their lives to make the playoffs. Noebels, an 18 year old forward from Tonisvorst, Germany is currently sitting at 25 goals and 49 points and he is in the top five in rookie scoring.

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Thunderbirds pull out OT victory over Silvertips

2011-03-06T00:32:00.001-08:00

With their playoff hopes down to just a handful of remaining games the Thunderbirds earn a hard fought two points by defeating the Silvertips 3-2 in overtime. The Birds are now three points out of a playoff spot with six games left.

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Thunderbirds rolled over in Portland

2011-03-04T22:15:00.000-08:00

The Thunderbirds latest "must win" game was a total bust as the Winterhawks dominated from start to finish. The Birds remain five points out of a playoff spot with only seven games remaining.

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Thunderbirds stay in playoff hunt with victory over Vancouver

2011-03-02T00:43:00.000-08:00

Playing with an intensity that has been spurred on by desperation to make the playoffs the Thunderbirds, behind Burke Gallimore, defeat the Giants 4-2.

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Behind four goals from Marcel Noebels the Thunderbirds defeat the Silvertips

2011-02-28T00:48:00.000-08:00

Marcel Noebels records his first WHL Hat Trick and notches four goals to help carry the Birds past the Silvertips 5-1. The Birds scored five unanswered goals after falling behind in the first period.

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Thunderbirds lose heartbreaker to Portland

2011-02-27T00:37:00.001-08:00

Just 34 seconds away from at least one hard fought point, the Thunderbirds give up the go ahead goal and drop a real stinger to the Winterhawks, 4-3.

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Thunderbirds struggles in Tri-City continue as they are downed by the Americans

2011-02-25T21:55:00.001-08:00

The Birds fail to follow up on their solid play in Spokane as some sloppy play in their own zone leads to a 5-2 loss to the Americans. It was the Birds 17th straight loss at the Toyota Center.

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Solid team effort propels the Thunderbirds over Spokane

2011-02-23T22:11:00.001-08:00

Taking advantage of a rusty James Reid the Thunderbirds score five goals from five different players and dump the Chiefs 5-1 to pick up a big road win.

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Thunderbirds comeback to defeat the Bruins in the shootout

2011-02-21T00:44:00.000-08:00

With their season as far having a realistic shot at the playoffs are concerned down to twenty minutes, the Thunderbirds battle back from a 3-1 third period deficit and defeat the Bruins 4-3 in the shootout.

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Punchless Thunderbirds fall to the Giants in Vancouver

2011-02-19T03:05:00.001-08:00

The Thunderbirds inability to get pucks to the net combined with some sloppy play in the defensive zone add up to a 6-2 loss to the Giants.

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The Farwell Side

2011-02-17T18:40:00.000-08:00

It's no secret that the Thunderbirds have struggled since the Holiday break. They have won just five games since that point (5-17-1-1). Before defeating the Spokane Chiefs on Sunday they had lost 12 of 13 to fall out of the playoff picture. They have the worst home record in the Conference and fewest home wins in the league.

That is the harsh reality of the situation. Yet a playoff berth is not out of the question because of the struggles of the teams just ahead of the Birds. 15 games to go. 9 at home. I spoke with General Manager Russ Farwell about the state of the team with just about a month to go in the regular season.

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Thunderbirds upset the Chiefs to end eight game home skid

2011-02-13T21:09:00.000-08:00

Behind a three point night by Ryan Button and a 57 save effort from Calvin Pickard, the Thunderbirds defeat the Spokane Chiefs and break an eight game home losing streak .

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Thunderbirds are trounced by Winterhawks in Kent

2011-02-13T00:15:00.001-08:00

The Thunderbirds give up six power play goals en route to an 8-2 loss to the Winterhawks. It's their 12th loss in their last 13 games and eighth in a row at home as their quest for a playoff spot dims further.

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Thunderbirds drop further out of playoff picture as they fall in Kamloops

2011-02-09T22:22:00.000-08:00

In arguably the biggest game of the season considering the playoff implications the Thunderbirds come out flat in the first period and give up five goals. They would go on to lose to the Blazers 6-1. The Birds have now lost 11 of their last 12 games.

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