The Game
Once again the Silvertips needed a flawless performance in net to win, and once again Carter Hart stepped up. Hart saved 31 shots for his eighth shutout of the season as the Tips won for just the second time in their last 10 games (but also the second time in their last three) as they topped Moose Jaw 2-0 Saturday in Saskatchewan.
That allowed Everett, temporarily, to move back into first place in the U.S. Division pending the outcome of Saturday night’s Seattle-Portland game.
It’s worth noting the Tips got a pretty good showing from backup goalie Mario Petit Friday in Brandon, but mustered only one goal in a 2-1 defeat to the Wheat Kings.
I should also note that Everett didn’t just beat any goaltender tonight. Zach Sawchenko is one of the top goalies in the WHL. He was the Eastern Conference Goaltender of the Year last season and lost the WHL Goaltender of the Year honors to Hart last May. Like Petit on Friday, Sawchenko was the tough-luck loser Saturday.
Noah Juulsen had an assist for the second straight game and shown how much the Tips have missed him and defensive partner Lucas Skrumeda. Both returned Friday in Brandon from lower body injuries and appear to be fully healed. Eetu Tuulola also was apparently fine after taking a head shot as he returned and scored Everett’s second goal.
The Tips were once again fruitless on the power play as that streak stretches to 2-for-40. Perhaps a silver lining is that the Tips scored both goals at even strength Saturday. You could make the case that Everett relied too much on its power-play unit to create offense so five-on-five scoring is a positive sign.
The Turning Point
The Tips scored the opening goal, something else they’ve struggled to do recently. It came at 10:18 in the first period and gave Everett a lead it wouldn’t relinquish.
Three Stars.
1. Everett G Carter Hart: The Philadelphia Flyers signee saved 31 shots for his league-best eighth shutout of the season.
2. Moose Jaw G Zach Sawchenko: The reigning Eastern Conference Goalie of the Year had 32 saves in a tough loss.
3. Moose Jaw D Josh Brook.
Honorable mention: Everett F Devon Skoleski (one goal, one assist, plus-two), Everett F Connor Dewar (one assist, plus-two), Everett D Noah Juulsen (one assist, plus-one), Everett F Eetu Tuulola (one goal, plus-one).
For the latest Silvertips news follow Jesse Geleynse on Twitter.
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