Seattle Thunderbirds Claim WHL Title

Seattle hockey fans might be disappointed by the Kraken elimination by the Dallas Stars in the Stanley Cup playoffs, but they can celebrate with their Western Hockey League (WHL) team as the Thunderbirds defeated the Winnipeg ICE for the Ed Chynoweth Cup Trophy.  This was the Thunderbirds' second title.  They previous won the Cup in 2017.

Sam Popowich broke a scoreless tie in the second period with a goal then Nico Myatovic scored for a 2-0 lead in the third period. Winnipeg scored to pull within a goal, but the T-Birds added an empty netter to clinch the win in Game 5 to take the series.

After a heartbreaking loss in last year's final to the Edmonton Oil Kings, Seattle completed their best season in franchise history winning 54 games and tallying 111 points during the regular season.  In the playoffs they swept Kelowna and Prince George in four games then defeated Kamloops 4-2 in the conference finals.  Winnipeg won the opening game of the Cup final but the Thunderbirds reeled off four consecutive wins 4-2, 6-3, 4-2 and 3-1 to take the title.

Seattle was led by the goaltending tandem of Thomas Milic and Scott Ratzlaff who were at the top of the WHL with combing for 54 wins and goals against average of 2.08 and 2.15 respectively.  Dylan Guenther scored 16 goals for the Thunderbirds in the playoffs.  

Here's a review of the WHL season:

Conference Quarterfinals

• Winnipeg 4, Medicine Hat 0
• Red Deer 4, Calgary 1
• Saskatoon 4, Regina 3
• Moose Jaw 4, Lethbridge 0
• Seattle 4, Kelowna 0
• Kamloops 4, Vancouver 0
• Portland 4, Everett 1
• Prince George 4, Tri-City 2

Conference Semifinals

• Winnipeg 4, Moose Jaw 2
• Saskatoon 4, Red Deer 3
• Seattle 4, Prince George 0
• Kamloops 4, Portland 0

Conference Finals

• Winnipeg 4, Saskatoon 0
• Seattle 4, Kamloops 2

Final

• Seattle 4, Winnipeg 1

For more information on the WHL:  WHL Network