T- Birds roast Giants in I- 5 mismatch
Seattle stings host Vancouver 6- 0
The city known for its coffee culture enjoyed roasting the Vancouver Giants on Wednesday as the so- called I- 5 Rivalry Week got off to a lumpy start for the hosts at the Pacific Coliseum.
The Seattle Thunderbirds, with 16- year- old rookie Mathew Barzal of Coquitlam making his Western Hockey League debut in B. C., throttled the Giants 6- 0 in front of a Hump Day crowd just shy of 4,100.
It was the second straight setback at home for Vancouver, which hosts the Everett Silvertips on Friday before heading out on a gruelling six- gamesinnine- nights road trip that starts Oct. 4 in Brandon, Man., and ends Oct. 12 in Swift Current, Sask.
The Giants, who dropped their home opener 4- 2 to the Victoria Royals on Sept. 20 and then bounced back one night later to win 2- 1 on Vancouver Island, trailed only 1- 0 after 20 minutes Wednesday to the unbeaten T- Birds, but imploded after that as Seattle took a 5- 0 lead into the third period.
Alexander Delnov led Seattle with two goals and two assists, while singles were added by Branden Troock, Connor Honey, Riley Sheen and Seth Swenson. Honey chipped in with three assists while Troock had two helpers.
Peyton Lee started the game in goal for Vancouver, but was yanked after surrendering the fourth goal at 15: 25 of the middle frame. Backup Jared Rathjen finished the night. Danny Mumaugh posted the shutout for Seattle.
Seattle outshot the Giants 39- 31. Seattle was 1- for- 4 on the power play, while Vancouver was 0- for- 7. POKE CHECKS: The Regina Pats drilled the Oil Kings 6- 0 in Edmonton, while the Spokane Chiefs rolled over the Royals 6- 1 in Victoria … Manraj Hayer of Vancouver, who was the top scorer in the WHL pre- season, visits Friday with the Silvertips. That game will be broadcast on Team 1410 starting at 7: 30 p. m. … The Giants will make stops in Brandon, Moose Jaw, Prince Albert, Saskatoon, Regina and Swift Current on their Prairie odyssey.