2024-25 Week One Results

The 2024-25 WCHL season kicked off with a thrilling rematch between the defending champions, the Thunderbirds, and last year’s runners-up, the Knights. In a closely contested game, the Thunderbirds edged out the Knights 6-5 in a nail-biter, avenging the intensity of last season's finals. Both teams sported fresh looks, one of the most notable being Marty Witberg's switch from the Thunderbirds to the Knights in the offseason.

The first period saw no scoring, but the Thunderbirds dominated with 18 shots on goal compared to just two for the Knights. Knights’ goalie Brendan Nienhaus, making his first appearance in several years, was spectacular between the pipes, keeping his team in the game with several highlight-reel saves.

The second period saw the Thunderbirds come alive offensively. Tristan Parent opened the scoring with a powerplay goal just five seconds before the penalty expired. He followed it up with another goal shortly after, and Jeff Fleshner added a third, assisted by Parent. The Thunderbirds looked poised to pull away, but the Knights regrouped in the final frame.
Marty Witberg struck early in the third period to spark the comeback for the Knights, netting his first goal against his former team. However, the Thunderbirds answered with Fleshner’s second goal, keeping their lead intact.

The third period was a wild back-and-forth battle. Witberg and Trei Cools connected for another Knights goal, but Parent quickly responded with a fourth tally for the Thunderbirds, assisted by Mary Stack. Witberg completed his hat trick late in the period, cutting the lead to one, and Zeljko Sreckovic added another goal to make it 6-5. Despite a late push from the Knights, the Thunderbirds held on, thanks to solid goaltending from Andrew Calvin. The three stars of the game were Nienhaus, who made 40 saves on 46 shots, Calvin, who stopped 21 of 26, and Ronnie Woodring, who had several crucial blocks for the Knights.

The Knights will face off against the Chargers in their next game on October 5th.