Hart, Silvertips shut out Prince Albert 2-0

EVERETT — Carter Hart and Ian Scott are two of the highest regarded goaltenders in the Western Hockey League.

So Wednesday’s goaltending battle between the netminders for the Everett Silvertips and Prince Albert Raiders wasn’t a surprise. In the end, it was two-time defending WHL Goaltender of the Year Hart who prevailed 2-0 before a light midweek crowd of 2,864 at Xfinity Arena.

Hart finished with 25 saves for his second consecutive shutout. It was his 21st career WHL shutout and moved him into a tie with Leland Irving for the most in franchise history. Hart has been a key part of Everett’s recent success following his return from a bout with mononucleosis.

“I’m feeling a lot better,” Hart said. “I got my weight back so I’m back to 185, which is good finally. I think I’m probably at 90-95 percent. I get tired a little bit, but that’s not too big of a deal and I feel pretty good out there.”

Sean Richards continued his torrid pace with Everett’s first goal, his fifth in his past four games, and Patrick Bajkov’s insurance goal gave him his team-leading 28th point of the season as Everett (9-10-1-1, 20 points) won its second straight.

Prince Albert dropped to 9-8-3 (21 points).

“I thought as the game went on we started using our speed more,” Everett head coach Dennis Williams said. “In that second period I thought we did a good job dominating that. And then that third period I didn’t think they got a lot of grade-A chances … As long as we keep using our speed against a team like that, we don’t want to slow down, we don’t want battles in the corners. We want to get pucks in and get going north with it and I thought we did a pretty good job of it.”

Everett took the lead when Richards corralled a pass from Kevin Davis in the neutral zone and roofed a wrist shot past Scott from the left circle. That gave Everett the 1-0 lead at 6:08 in the second period.

“I wasn’t really ready for it, but he kind of got it just right on my tape and me and (Matt) Fonteyne just 2-on-1,” Richards said. “I saw the D-man go more toward Fonteyne to try and take the pass away, and I just saw an opening and I took it.”

Bajkov’s goal at 14:27 in the third came after he collected a puck along the left wall, skated into the slot and let a wrister fly that beat Scott up high.

“He’s a high-end player out here,” Richards said of his linemate Bajkov. “He just does what he does best. It was a high-end goal and it was a good night for our line I thought.”

Davis assisted both of Everett’s goals with Fonteyne also picking up a helper.

The first period was scoreless, but not without action. Montana Onyebuchi and Cody Paivarinta dropped gloves after Onyebuchi leveled a big hit on another Prince Albert player.

Both players were give five-minute fighting majors. Onyebuchi was also given five minutes for charging and a game misconduct and was ejected, but the Tips killed off the ensuing five-minute penalty.

“We had some big blocks from some guys and I thought that was probably the key to our success tonight,” Hart said. “I think for Montana that’s part of his game and that really got the boys going there and we got the crowd into it there. He’s a tough customer. I think our defensive corps stepped up there.”

Everett, which entered the game second in the WHL on the penalty kill, was perfect in three chances Wednesday. The Tips came up empty on seven power-play chances.

“I’m sure they’re frustrated (and) we’re all frustrated,” Williams said of his team’s futility on the man advantage. “It’s not a lack of effort … It’s just what’s happening. We just need to get back to the basics of funneling more pucks and getting more bodies on net.”

Everett has a full slate this weekend. The Tips play host to Seattle at 7:35 p.m. on Friday before a 7:05 p.m. start at Kent on Saturday. Regina visits Xfinity Arena at 4:05 p.m. on Sunday.

Silvertips 2, Raiders 0

Prince Albert 0 0 0 — 0

Everett 0 1 1 — 2

1st Period—No Scoring. Penalties—Pachal Pa (holding), 2:46; Nachbaur Pa (hooking), 10:09; Paivarinta Pa (major-fighting), 13:16; Onyebuchi Evt (major-charging, major-fighting, game misconduct), 13:16; Fonstad Pa (hooking), 18:50.

2nd Period—1, Everett, Richards 8 (Davis), 6:08. Penalties—Kelly Pa (high sticking), 1:06; Rhinehart Pa (kneeing), 12:38; Richards Evt (cross checking), 19:06.

3rd Period—2, Everett, Bajkov 10 (Davis, Fonteyne), 14:27. Penalties—served by Jerome Pa (too many men), 3:53; Pachal Pa (high sticking), 5:44; Fasko-Rudas Evt (holding), 15:39; Scott Pa (roughing), 17:22.

Shots on Goal—Prince Albert 13-8-4-25. Everett 13-20-9-42.

Power Play Opportunities—Prince Albert 0 / 3; Everett 0 / 8.

Goalies—Prince Albert, Scott 6-3-0-0 (42 shots-40 saves). Everett, Hart 4-2-0-1 (25 shots-25 saves).

A—2,864