The Game
As positive as Friday’s opener was, Sunday’s game wasn’t. The Tips melted down as Prince George turned in a three-goal second period to take a 4-0 lead. Mario Petit replaced Carter Hart at goaltender to start the third period.
Matt Fonteyne scored early in the third period to briefly give Everett hope of a monumental comeback, but Jesse Gabrielle’s second goal of the game effectively ended that hope.
The Tips were playing without key pieces in forward/captain Dawson Leedahl and defenseman Tristan Pfeifer (both undisclosed upper body injuries), so that could explain some of the letdown. Perhaps more concerning was the fact that Prince George converted its first two power play opportunities after Everett killed both on Friday.
The Turning Point
Prince George took control with three goals in an eight-minute span during the second period. Jordan Ross scored at 8:37, while Gabrielle’s power play goal and Chase Witala’s goal followed. The final two goals came within three minutes of one another to turn a 2-0 Prince George advantage into a 4-0 lead.
Three Stars
- Jesse Gabrielle, Prince George: Recently back from Boston Bruins camp, Gabrielle converted a pair of power play goals for Prince George.
- Mack Shields, Prince George: The Cougars goaltender turned away 25 of Everett’s 26 shots.
- Sam Ruopp, Prince George: The defenseman and Columbus Blue Jackets draftee had an assist and was plus-3 for the Cougars.
Notes: The Silvertips scratched G Austin Lotz, D Alexander Scherbakov, D Noah Juulsen, D Pfeifer, F Leedahl, F Gunnar Wegleitner and F Yan Khomenko… Scherbakov is ostensibly out for the year after undergoing surgery for a torn labrum last Monday… Khomenko did not make the trip after banging his head into the crossbar during Monday’s practice… Wegleitner warmed up before being scratched… Kennewick native and former Junior Silvertip Sean Mallonee made his debut Sunday.
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