Cheeky fun for an important cause! Cupid’s Undie Run hit the streets of Seattle on Saturday. The ‘pantsless party with a purpose’ raises awareness and funds for neurofibromatosis, a group of genetic conditions that cause tumors to grow on nerves. Seattle’s quirky Fremont neighborhood was the perfect backdrop for the event. The fun run wound through Gas Works Park during the 1-mile(ish) route, followed by drinks and dancing at the popular Fremont Dock sports bar. (Image: Elizabeth Crook / Seattle Refined) Feb. 21, 2026 ~{a href=”https://cupids.org/” target=”_blank” title=”https://cupids.org/”}Learn more here{/a}.~

Leading 2-1 going into the 3rd period, the Portland Winterhawks put together a dumpster fire in the 3rd period, being outshot 19-3. Luckily they only give up one goal, so they get one point, but that’s all they get as Cameron Schmidt’s 2nd goal of the game wins it for the Seattle Thunderbirds in overtime.

Schmidt’s winner was assisted by Matthew Gard, who tied the game halfway through the 3rd period.

It was the Thunderbirds’ 5th win in a row, as they’ve come back from looking dead two weeks ago. They’re now one point out of a playoff spot, although still in 10th. Portland remains in 7th, 2 points ahead of the 8th and 9th place Victoria Royals and Tri-City Americans.

Goalie Ondrej Štěbeták was Portland’s best player, but he was slightly outdueled in the end by Seattle’s Grayson Malinoski.

Pregame: A big battle for the last spots in the Western Conference’s playoffs. The Thunderbirds looking for their 5th win in a row. Portland trying to bounce back from a really poor game against Spokane a week ago.

1st period: Finished 1-1 with both teams having spurts. The Winterhawks scored on the first shot of the game. Seattle rattled off 5 shots in a row. Then Portland finished the period with 7 of the last 8 shots. They were having issues with turnovers coming out of their own zone, especially from their top defensive pair, Max Pšenička and Niko Tsakumis.

2nd period: The Winterhawks started with the turnover issues continuing, but as the period went on it looked like they were fading away and they held Seattle to 6 shots for the period, while taking the lead 2-1. Tsakumis took a penalty with 4 seconds left that ended up setting the tone for the 3rd.

3rd period: Which turned out to be a mess for Portland. They never got anything going, gave up the lead, and were outshot 19-3, not helped by taking two more penalties. Their penalty kill saved them, as did some poor shooting by the Thunderbirds. They were lucky to get the regulation point.

Overtime: It ended quickly with a turnover by Ryan Miller, the game’s best skater for Portland, and a breakaway by the last player you’d want to see get one.

Portland Winterhawks

Not the end of the world; they have points in 5 of their last 6 games after all. But the huge drops in the last 2 games are concerning. They have an overnight trip to Vancouver, while the Giants have a long, grueling trip from Spokane, but they might not have a favorable goalie matchup. A lost to the last-place Giants would be a big blow.

Seattle Thunderbirds

The 5 wins on their streak are all against teams 6th or worse, so they’ve won a bunch of games where they’ve been about 50-50. But their back in the race, and have a house money game against the top-ranked Everett Silvertips before another big game in Portland on Sunday.

Saturday 2/21 at Vancouver, 7pm PST

Sunday 2/22 vs. Seattle, 4pm PST

Friday 2/27 at Victoria, 7pm PST

next Saturday 2/28 at Victoria, 4pm PST

Looking ahead: Sunday 3/8 vs. Tri-City, 4pm PDT