Playoff Preview - Halifax @ Albany
Apr 26, 2024
The Halifax Thunderbirds head to MVP Arena this Sunday for a first-round playoff showdown with the Albany FireWolves. Opening face-off is set for 4:00 p.m. AT.
Scouting the Thunderbirds
The Thunderbirds wrapped the regular season with a victory at home, and the offence continued its strong finish to the year, scoring 14 goals against Colorado.
Clarke Petterson finished off the best season of his career with a five-assist, seven-point night last weekend. He became the first Thunderbird to reach 100 career points in the process and the first in the organization since 2018 to accomplish the feat.
It was a strong outing across the board for the Thunderbirds this year, who got career years from Austin Shanks (23G, 62A) and Dawson Theede (30G, 28A), and despite only playing in nine games, star righty Randy Staats’ (23G, 24A) 5.2 points-per game would’ve put him on pace for 94 points this year. Since returning to the lineup to start the month, Staats has seven goals and 10 points in two games
Ryan Benesch (42G, 39A) and Cody Jamieson (22G, 41A) have also been pivotal to the Thunderbirds’ offensive success this year. The pair of veterans are posting big numbers and contributing at key points in games when Halifax needs a boost.
Jake Withers and Ryan Terefenko capped off their strong campaigns with a goal apiece in transition in the team’s season finale, while Graeme Hossack had a classic performance with four caused turnovers, five loose balls, a pair of blocks, and a number of bone-crunching hits.
In net, Warren Hill nearly set a season-high last weekend in saves, finishing one off with 44 stops in a great performance heading into the postseason. The Thunderbirds starter holds a 10.85 goals-against average and a .770 save percentage this season.
Scouting the FireWolves
The FireWolves’ complete turnaround this season has come with the uptick in production up front, led by 2022 first-round picks Alex Simmons (38G, 58A) and Tye Kurtz (32G, 46A). Simmons nearly topped 100 points in his inaugural season and his righty running mate also went over 75 points in his first year.
Even the “veterans” on this forward core are in their first few years in the league. Ethan Walker (32G, 52A) continues to be a very big scoring threat within this offence, while Sam Firth (20G, 27A), Travis Longboat (25G, 32A), and Marshall Powless (13G, 31A) have all had breakout years in Albany.
Defensively, Albany likes to run a high-tempo game that presses opposing offences out to the boards to give them as little time to breathe as possible. That unit is led by Colton Watkinson, who is also the FireWolves’ leader in points out of the back gate. Jackson Nishimura and Patrick Kaschalk have also been strong offensively this year, with the latter leading Albany’s defence with eight goals.
But it’s been the stellar play in net of Doug Jamieson that has helped Albany stay in the top half of the league’s standings this year. The veteran netminder holds a 10.12 GAA and an .800 SV%.
Milestone Watch
- Ryan Benesch needs one goal to reach 40 for his playoff career...Needs one point to reach 90 for his playoff career
- Cody Jamieson needs five goals to reach 40 for his playoff career...two assists to reach 60 for his playoff career...Needs seven points to reach 100 for his playoff career
Broadcast Information
Thunderbirds fans can tune into Sunday’s action on TSN+ in Canada and on ESPNU and ESPN+ in the United States. For fans in Halifax, the team will also be holding a Watch Party at Freeman’s Fairview.
To book your reservation, call 902-445-5256