The Game
Carter Hart turned in his second consecutive and league-leading fourth shutout of the year, but Kootenay Ice goaltender Declan Hobbs was just as impressive, if not more so, in Everett’s 2-0 win in Cranbrook, B.C.
Can’t say enuf about Ice G Declan Hobbs. Hands down best player on either side of puck. If he could’ve scored, I’m sure he would’ve. #WHL
— Taylor Rocca (@taylorrocca) November 18, 2015
Hobbs finished with 39 saves as the Tips out-shot the Ice 41-16. Everett had six power play chances and made use of its final two as Dario Winkler scored the first goal and assisted the second.
The Tips perhaps could have been due for a letdown after two strong home wins, particularly against a 4-15-2-0 Ice squad that has battled numerous injuries and dressed just 21 players Tuesday. But that wasn’t the case as Everett came out strong in the opening period and out-shot Kootenay 18-7. That was a harbinger of the final two periods.
Tuesday was a solid start to a long road trip that will feature four games in five nights against two-thirds of the Central Division. The Tips won’t face division-leading Red Deer (15-7-0-0, 30 points) or fourth-place Edmonton (7-11-3-0, 17 points) on this trip.
Everett plays Lethbridge Wednesday, followed by Medicine Hat Friday and Calgary Saturday before heading home.
The Turning Point
Winkler finally broke the deadlock with a power play goal at 16:20 in the second period. There was initially some confusion as the goal was announced as being scored by Winkler, and it appeared to reporters present at the game that Winkler had scored the goal. However, the WHL website initially credited the goal to Connor Dewar. That was subsequently changed back to Winkler, who garnered his second tally of the season.
Three Stars
1. Kootenay G Declan Hobbs: No argument here as the Ice netminder turned aside 39 of Everett’s 41 shots, and allowed two power play goals in a hard-luck loss.
2. Everett F Dario Winkler: The Austrian scored Everett’s first goal and assisted on the second as he continues to prove a valuable contribution since being claimed off waivers from Brandon.
3. Everett G Carter Hart: The 17-year-old wasn’t tested often, but he proved flawless when he was en route to back-to-back shutouts.
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