WHL playoffs | For T-birds, it's win or head home

Penalties have pushed the Seattle Thunderbirds to the brink of elimination in the Western Hockey League playoffs.

The T-birds trail the Tri-City Americans three games to one in the Western Conference semifinals, and two of the losses were the direct result of penalties.

The Americans have scored nine power-play goals on 19 tries and can close out the series with a win in Game 5 tonight at the Toyota Center in Kennewick. If the T-birds win tonight, Game 6 will be at KeyArena on Saturday.

"They've had a great power play all year and this series especially," Seattle goaltender Jake DeSerres said. "It's won them these last three games. We just need to battle a little harder, that's what penalty killing is all about."

The Americans, who had the best record in the WHL during the regular season and are 7-1 in the playoffs, have 13 power-play goals in the playoffs on 49 tries.

"They're a great team, but my team played great out there as well," DeSerres said after making 37 saves in Game 4. "We just need to stay focused and win the next game."

Besides being in the penalty box, injuries have also left the Thunderbirds shorthanded.

T-birds captain Thomas Hickey suffered a concussion in Game 1, a 7-1 Seattle win, and hasn't played since. Hickey did practice before Wednesday's game and was probable to play in tonight's game.

"We've tried to play through injuries, but we've been without our best guy," Sumner said. "We just have to win and gain some momentum and go from there. We're only looking at winning the next game."

The T-birds also played without Prab Rai for the second half of Game 4 after he left with an undisclosed injury. His status will be determined at game time.

Colton Yellow Horn has four power-play goals in the series for the Americans, including the winner in overtime Thursday. Ian McKenzie has eight goals and six assists to lead the T-birds.