MEDICINE HAT, Alberta — The Medicine Hat Tigers received a short-handed goal and a power-play goal, then held on to defeat the visiting Everett Silvertips 2-1 in Western Hockey League action Friday before 4,202 fans at the Canalta Centre.
Everett (11-7-0-1, 23 points) lost its second straight and its second consecutive game in which it scored first. Medicine Hat (7-10-2-1, 17 points) snapped a two-game losing streak and won for just the third time in its past 11 games during a contest in which neither team scored at even strength.
The defeat sullied an evening that included rookie Riley Sutter’s first career goal — a feat he achieved in his home province. The 16-year-old scored on Everett’s first power play in the opening period to give the Silvertips a 1-0 lead.
Everett goaltender Carter Hart, the reigning WHL Goaltender of the Week, came into the game riding back-to-back shutouts. The streak remained intact into the second period, but the Tigers took advantage of a defensive breakdown to end the streak at nearly 155 minutes with a short-handed goal midway through the second period.
With the Silvertips leading 1-0 and on the power play, Chad Butcher stole the puck at the blue line and got a breakaway chance against Hart. As the Everett netminder skated out to meet him, Butcher fired past Hart’s left shoulder to tie the game 1-1 at 9:49. It was the second consecutive game Everett has allowed a short-handed goal.
Cole Sanford gave the Tigers the lead on a power play goal at 19:07, scoring on a wrister from the left circle. Butcher and Ty Stanton were credited with assists and Medicine Hat led 2-1 through two periods.
The Tips were assessed two penalties at the conclusion of the second period to set up a 5-on-3 opportunity for the Tigers to open the third. However, Everett withstood Medicine Hat’s barrage and managed to kill the double penalty to keep it a one-goal game.
The Silvertips took the lead with Sutter’s first WHL goal at 16:30 of the opening period. Remi Laurencelle fed Dawson Leedahl behind the net, and Leedahl played the puck up to Sutter on the left side of the crease. Sutter’s redirect gave Everett a 1-0 advantage.
Leedahl also had a good look during his first shift early in the opening period, but his attempt hit the crossbar and bounced away.
With the assist Laurencelle extended his point streak to five games. The overager leads Everett with 15 points.
The Silvertips conclude the first of their two Central Division road trips tonight against the Calgary Hitmen. The faceoff is set for 6 p.m.
Tigers 2, Silvertips 1
Everett100—1
Medicine Hat020—2
First period—1, Everett, Sutter 1 (Leedahl, Laurencelle), 16:30 (PP). Penalties-Schultz M.H. (hooking), 14:39.
Second period—2, Medicine Hat, Butcher 8 9:49 (SH). 3, Medicine Hat, Sanford 8 (Stanton, Butcher), 19:07 (PP). Penalties-Stanton M.H. (elbowing), 9:40; Laurencelle Evt (slashing), 18:16; Evt (bench), 20:00.
Third Period—No Scoring. Penalties—Shaw M.H. (tripping), 3:04; MacDonald Evt (roughing), 20:00.
Shots on Goal—Everett 8-5-12-25. Medicine Hat 7-10-8-25.
Power Play Opportunities—Everett 1/3; Medicine Hat 1/3.
Goalies—Everett, Hart 11-6-0-1 (25 shots, 23 saves). Medicine Hat, Schneider 4-5-0-0 (25 shots, 24 saves).
A—4,202
For the latest Silvertips news, follow Jesse Geleynse on Twitter @jessegeleynse
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