Kozun stops 18 shots in 4-0 blanking of Tri-City

EVERETT, August 29, 2014 — Seattle Thunderbirds goalie Taran Kozun made 18 saves Friday afternoon to help lead the T-Birds to a 4-0 shutout of the Tri-City Americans in their first game at the Everett Silvertips Holiday Inn Preseason Classic.

Four different players scored for the T-Birds, who take on the Victoria Royals on Saturday at 3pm in their second game at the Classic. They will face the Spokane Chiefs on Sunday at 3pm in their final game at the Classic.

The T-Birds took a 1-0 lead 3:24 into the first period. Kaden Elder worked the puck out of the right corner as a T-Birds power play ended. From the right of the goal he crossed the puck through the crease to Nolan Volcan to the left of the goal. Volcan lifted the puck over Tri-City goalie Eric Comrie’s glove for the T-Birds first goal of the preseason.

Seattle outshot Tri-City 8-6 in the first period.

Evan Sarthou replaced Comrie in the middle of the second period. Comrie had 16 saves on 17 shots in 32 minutes of action.

Shea Theodore put the T-Birds in front 2-0 at 13:23 of the second period. Florian Baltram got the puck to Theodore in the left circle. Theodore beat Sarthou over the glove with a wrist shot. Nick Holowko had the second assist for the T-Birds.

Ethan Bear scored a power-play with 41 seconds left in the second period to give the T-Birds a 3-0 lead. Baltram moved the puck to Theodore inside the blue line at center ice. Theodore sent the puck to Bear in the left circle and he one-timed the pass. Bear’s shot beat Sarthou high on the glove side.

The T-Birds outshot the Americans 15-6 in the second period and led 23-12 in shots after two periods.

Holowko added an empty-net goal at 19:22 of the third period to seal the win. Lane Pederson had the only assist on the goal.

Seattle outshot Everett 11-6 in the third period and 34-18 in the game.

After the Silvertips Preseason Classic the T-Birds next preseason appearance will be in Kennewick at the Red Lion Hotels’ Preseason Tournament at the Toyota Center. The T-Birds will play the Spokane Chiefs on Thursday, September 4, at 3:00 p.m. and face the Everett Silvertips on Friday, September 5, at 11:00 a.m.

The T-Birds close out the preseason schedule with a home-and-home series against the Everett Silvertips. The T-Birds visit Everett on Friday, September 12, for a 7:35 puck drop against the Silvertips. The T-Birds then make their only pre-season appearance at ShoWare Center on Saturday, September 13 for a 7:05pm contest against the Silvertips. Single game tickets for the home preseason game will go on sale August 21.

The T-Birds home opener for the 2014-15 regular season is Saturday, September 20 against the Everett Silvertips at ShoWare Center at 7:05pm.

T-Birds single game tickets for the 2014-15 season are available online at the T-Birds website and at the ShoWare Center box office. The ShoWare Center Box Office is open Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday game days at 10 a.m. and Sunday game days at noon.

T-Birds season tickets are currently on sale. Season tickets can be purchased by calling the T-Birds office at 253-239-7825.

SCORING SUMMARY

First period – 1, Seattle, Volcan 1 (Elder, Neuls), 3:24. Penalties – James Tri (checking to the head), 1:21. Holowko, Sea (tripping), 10:53. Yaremko, Tri (boarding), 12:32. James, Tri (cross checking), 15:16. Eansor, Sea (checking from behind), 16:54.

Second period – 2, Seattle, Theodore 1 (Baltram, Holowko), 13:23. 3, Seattle, Bear 1 (Theodore, Baltram), 19:19 (pp). Penalties – Carlo, Tri (tripping), 5:36. Spencer, Sea (roughing), 7:12. Khaira, Sea (10-minute misconduct-mouth guard violation), 8:40. Bench, Tri (too many men-served by O’Reilly), 19:04. James, Tri (roughing), 19:27.

Third period – 4, Seattle, Holowko 1 (Pederson), 19:23. Penalties – Lukin, Tri (tripping), 9:18.

Shots on goal – Seattle 8-15-11 34, Tri-City 6-6-6 18. Goalies – Seattle, Kozun 18 shots-18 saves (1-0-0-0); Tri-City, Comrie 17-16 (0-1-0-0), Sarthou 16-14. Power plays – Seattle 1-7; Tri-City 0-3. Referees – Jason Nissen, Dexter Rasmussen. Linesmen – Zach Brooks, Dustin McGowan.