Final thoughts from Everett’s loss to Brandon
Published 12:01 am Thursday, October 29, 2015
The Game
The Silvertips dropped a tough one in a shootout tonight although afterward head coach Kevin Constantine said he doesn’t put much stock in shootout losses because “it’s not really hockey.”
He has a point. And so do the Tips, although not the two they desired.
Everett took a 2-0 lead with goals from Carson Stadnyk and Dario Winkler. The evening was poignant for Winkler, who was waived by Brandon two weeks ago and was making his Tips debut Wednesday. He basically has only practiced twice in the last three weeks, he said – that being Monday and Tuesday – and isn’t quite in game shape.
Despite trailing 2-0, Brandon dominated the puck possession and nearly doubled Everett’s shots at 40-22. The Wheat Kings moved the puck around their offensive zone with aplomb and efficiency.
Frankly, goaltender Carter Hart was the only reason the Tips were in position to win as his 38 saves were a season high. Nevertheless the Wheat Kings scored once in the second period and added the equalizer in the third.
Then, of course, came the shootout.
“It’s just like the end of practice when some of the boys gather around in the shootout,” Hart said afterward. “You just have to think of it like that.”
Alas, Reid Duke found the net for the Wheat Kings and none of Everett’s shooters did as Brandon snapped its two-game losing streak.
The Turning Point
Braylon Shmyr scored the tying goal for the Wheat Kings at 6:28 in the third period to erase what was once a 2-0 Everett lead. No one scored the rest of the way and the Wheat Kings went on to win via shootout.
Three Stars
1. Carter Hart, Everett G: Hart recorded a season-high 38 saves in what was ultimately a losing effort.
2. Dario Winkler, Everett F: Winkler scored a goal in his Everett debut and it came against his old team.
3. Rihards Bukarts, Brandon F: Bukarts put the Wheat Kings on the board with a second period goal with an impressive slap shot from the high slot.
