The Halifax Thunderbirds would lose a heartbreaker, 9–8, to the San Diego Seals on Saturday night at Pechanga Arena.
After holding a three-goal lead in the third quarter, the Thunderbirds surrendered a five-goal run — including two power-play markers — to the Seals.
Halifax tied the game early in the fourth, but Dylan Watson scored a transition goal with 8:37 remaining for the game-winner. Halifax’s losing streak has now reached five games.
The loss could not be pinned on Warren Hill in the Thunderbirds’ net. He was sharp, stopping 43 of 52 shots. Chris Origlieri was equally strong at the other end, turning aside 41 of 49 shots.
Discipline was an issue for both teams, which combined for 12 power plays. San Diego was awarded seven opportunities and converted on three.
First Quarter
Halifax got off to a quick start, jumping out to a 3–0 lead.
Cody Jamieson opened the scoring 2:37 into the game, followed by Randy Staats off an assist from Jake Withers at 7:18.
Jamieson struck again at the 9:56 mark to cap the three-goal run.
San Diego got on the board with a power-play goal from Wes Berg with 2:54 remaining, but Halifax led 3–1 after one.
Second Quarter
The Thunderbirds restored their three-goal lead at 3:34 when Wake:Riat Bowhunter found the back of the net.
The Seals replied 1:25 later on a goal from Tre Leclaire. San Diego then narrowed the gap when Corey Small set up Berg at 7:54 to make it 4–3.
Halifax closed out the half at 8:15, when Staats converted on a penalty shot, as the Thunderbirds led 5–3 at halftime.
Third Quarter
Nearly half the third quarter passed before anyone scored. Jason Knox broke the drought at 7:11 to put Halifax up 6–3.
Then the wheels fell off for the Thunderbirds. Berg scored just 11 seconds later to spark a five-goal run for the Seals.
Leclaire added another at 8:13, followed by Watson on the power play at 9:33 to tie the game at 6–6.
Leclaire completed his hat trick with 3:02 left, and Connor Robinson scored on the power play with 1:08 remaining as the Seals took an 8–6 lead into the fourth.
Fourth Quarter
Halifax clawed back early in the fourth. Clarke Petterson scored on the power play 1:15 into the quarter, and Withers later found Curtis Romanchych to tie the game 8–8.
With 8:37 still to play, Origlieri fired an outlet pass to Graydon Bradley. Bradley slowed down after attacking the Halifax net and flipped a pass to Watson for the go-ahead goal.
Halifax pressed late, and Petterson had a quality chance with about 1:30 remaining, but Origlieri shut the door as the Thunderbirds would lose a heartbreaker, 9–8.
Top Scorers
San Diego Seals
- Tre Leclaire, 3g 3a
- Dylan Watson, 2g 3a
- Wes Berg, 3g 1a
- Corey Small, 4a
Halifax Thunderbirds
- Randy Staats, 2g 3a
- Cody Jamieson, 2g 2a
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