Published: Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Surging Silvertips in middle of playoff race
EVERETT -- There was a little extra jump to the Everett Silvertips during practice Tuesday afternoon at Comcast Arena, a few more grins flashed than in practices past.
Indeed, it was a team that understood it was back in the race.
Everett is coming off a crucial two-game sweep of the Prince George Cougars over the weekend, a pair of wins that put the Tips smack in the middle of the playoff race.
Everett won 5-2 on Friday, then held on to prevail 4-3 on Saturday. In the process the Tips passed Prince George for ninth place in the Western Conference -- the first time in months Everett moved off the bottom of the standings -- and climbed within four points of Victoria for the conference's eighth and final playoff position.
"That was something we really needed to get to get the morale high," said German defenseman Dominik Bittner, who scored his first two WHL goals in Friday's game. "I think that helped a lot. We're sending out a message to the league now that we're not done yet. We're fighting our way back, and we will every game."
Everett was well aware of what was at stake heading into the weekend. The Tips knew Prince George was one of the teams they needed to pass to have a chance at extending their streak of making the playoffs in all nine seasons of the franchise's history. Everett was also fighting off fatigue as the Tips were finishing up their busiest stretch of the season with the long bus ride to Prince George.
"Knowing the circumstances, that being our fourth game in five days and finishing up 15 games in 25 days, and knowing we were playing the team we were right behind, it was imperative that we got two wins," Everett coach Mark Ferner said.
"I think it was two teams that were pretty hesitant, knowing the circumstances," Ferner added. "Was it our best efforts? Well, they were good road games for us. We were pretty simple -- the first game was pretty boring, to be quite honest. It was a tough stretch of games, so we did what we needed to do."
Everett now has its first break in a month, with five days off before traveling to Portland on Friday. After that the Tips head to Victoria for another crucial road twinbill, with games next Tuesday and Wednesday against the Royals.
McPhee out again
Everett winger Zach McPhee once again finds himself on the sidelines.
McPhee, who just recently returned from knee surgery, is laid up again after suffering a head injury during Saturday's game.
"He beat a defenseman, lost the puck, reached for it and the guy came in and unintentionally kneed him in the back of the head," Ferner said. "Knowing his history we have to be careful with that."
McPhee did not participate in practice Tuesday. He was originally sidelined by the knee injury in late October, returning early in January.
Murray a top prospect
Tips captain Ryan Murray is scheduled to take part in tonight's CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in Kelowna, B.C.
The Top Prospects Game showcases the top 40 players eligible for this year's NHL draft who are playing in the WHL, Ontario Hockey League and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Murray is one of 16 WHLers taking part, and he was named captain of Team Cherry.
Murray, an 18-year-old defenseman, is expected to be a top-10 selection in the NHL draft.
Tips on TV
Everett hits the small screen for the first time this season Friday when the Tips travel to Portland for a game that will be broadcast regionally by ROOT Sports. It is the first of three Everett games that will be televised by ROOT. The others are Feb. 10 when the Tips travel to Vancouver, and March 2 when Everett hosts Seattle.
Check out Nick Patterson's Silvertips blog at http://www.heraldnet.com/silvertipsblog, and follow him on Twitter at NickHPatterson.
Indeed, it was a team that understood it was back in the race.
Everett is coming off a crucial two-game sweep of the Prince George Cougars over the weekend, a pair of wins that put the Tips smack in the middle of the playoff race.
Everett won 5-2 on Friday, then held on to prevail 4-3 on Saturday. In the process the Tips passed Prince George for ninth place in the Western Conference -- the first time in months Everett moved off the bottom of the standings -- and climbed within four points of Victoria for the conference's eighth and final playoff position.
"That was something we really needed to get to get the morale high," said German defenseman Dominik Bittner, who scored his first two WHL goals in Friday's game. "I think that helped a lot. We're sending out a message to the league now that we're not done yet. We're fighting our way back, and we will every game."
Everett was well aware of what was at stake heading into the weekend. The Tips knew Prince George was one of the teams they needed to pass to have a chance at extending their streak of making the playoffs in all nine seasons of the franchise's history. Everett was also fighting off fatigue as the Tips were finishing up their busiest stretch of the season with the long bus ride to Prince George.
"Knowing the circumstances, that being our fourth game in five days and finishing up 15 games in 25 days, and knowing we were playing the team we were right behind, it was imperative that we got two wins," Everett coach Mark Ferner said.
"I think it was two teams that were pretty hesitant, knowing the circumstances," Ferner added. "Was it our best efforts? Well, they were good road games for us. We were pretty simple -- the first game was pretty boring, to be quite honest. It was a tough stretch of games, so we did what we needed to do."
Everett now has its first break in a month, with five days off before traveling to Portland on Friday. After that the Tips head to Victoria for another crucial road twinbill, with games next Tuesday and Wednesday against the Royals.
McPhee out again
Everett winger Zach McPhee once again finds himself on the sidelines.
McPhee, who just recently returned from knee surgery, is laid up again after suffering a head injury during Saturday's game.
"He beat a defenseman, lost the puck, reached for it and the guy came in and unintentionally kneed him in the back of the head," Ferner said. "Knowing his history we have to be careful with that."
McPhee did not participate in practice Tuesday. He was originally sidelined by the knee injury in late October, returning early in January.
Murray a top prospect
Tips captain Ryan Murray is scheduled to take part in tonight's CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in Kelowna, B.C.
The Top Prospects Game showcases the top 40 players eligible for this year's NHL draft who are playing in the WHL, Ontario Hockey League and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Murray is one of 16 WHLers taking part, and he was named captain of Team Cherry.
Murray, an 18-year-old defenseman, is expected to be a top-10 selection in the NHL draft.
Tips on TV
Everett hits the small screen for the first time this season Friday when the Tips travel to Portland for a game that will be broadcast regionally by ROOT Sports. It is the first of three Everett games that will be televised by ROOT. The others are Feb. 10 when the Tips travel to Vancouver, and March 2 when Everett hosts Seattle.
Check out Nick Patterson's Silvertips blog at http://www.heraldnet.com/silvertipsblog, and follow him on Twitter at NickHPatterson.
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