Mathew Barzal is one reason why the Seattle Thunderbirds are among the Canadian Hockey League’s most recent Top-10.
The Burnaby Winter Club product has been red-hot since the start of the Western Hockey League playoffs, counting three assists in the team’s 4-1 victory over Prince George in Game 2 on Saturday.
Seattle, which entered the playoffs ranked 10th overall, finished the regular season third in the Western Conference at 45-23-4. Only three WHL teams made the rankings -- with Brandon and Victoria the other two.
Also picking up an assist in the second game was fellow T-bird and Burnaby native Nick Holowko.
In Game 1, where Seattle eked out a 3-2 overtime win, defenceman Joseph Carvalho registered an assist for Prince George.
The series continued Tuesday, past the NOW’s deadline.
A 20-year-old veteran with the Red Deer Rebels, Adam Helewka launched the new season right, scoring twice in his team’s 3-1 win over the Calgary Hitmen last week.
The Burnaby native’s first goal came with 4:49 left in the third to break a 1-1 tie. Helewka would cap it with an empty-netter.
In Game 2, he added his third goal of the series in a 5-2 loss.
