Originally published Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at 12:00 AM

WHL Playoffs | Hat trick gets T-birds in gear vs. Kelowna

Seattle right wing David Richard scored his third goal Monday against the Kelowna Rockets right when the Thunderbirds needed it most. With Seattle tied 2-2...

KELOWNA, B.C. — Seattle right wing David Richard scored his third goal Monday against the Kelowna Rockets right when the Thunderbirds needed it most.

With Seattle tied 2-2 in overtime — and trailing 2-0 in the best-of-seven first-round Western Hockey League playoff series — Richard corralled a loose puck in the high slot, curved toward the Kelowna net and beat Rockets goalie Kristofer Westblom over his left shoulder to give the T-birds a 3-2, Game 3 win at Prospera Place.

Game 4 is set for 7 tonight.

Seattle took a 1-0 lead 31 seconds into the first period. Richard attempted a cross-crease pass to Prab Rai, but it deflected off a defender and into the net.

Kelowna tied the score 1-1 at the 13:15 mark on a goal by Lucas Bloodoff.

The T-Birds took a 1-1 lead with a power-play goal at 12:09 of the second period, with Richard one-timing a Thomas Hickey pass past Westblom.

The Rockets got the equalizer 28 seconds into the third period from Jamie Benn.

Seattle goalie Jacob DeSerres made his first start of the playoffs and made 30 saves.

From team reports.

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