Final thoughts as Silvertips defeat Americans (with Carson Stadnyk video)
Published 9:28 pm Sunday, February 28, 2016
The Game
The general consensus was that Sunday’s game was a must-win if the Tips are going to hold on for a second straight U.S. Division title. That became even more the case when Seattle knocked off Kamloops 4-3 later Sunday night to stay three points back of Everett.
The Silvertips’ 3-2 win over the Tri-City Americans was like so many Tips wins this year: a low-scoring affair in which Everett scores a late goal and then holds on for the one-point win.
Neither goaltender was particularly outstanding, but both were solid. Carter Hart seemed as though he never saw the first goal that snuck by him on the ice. Counterpart Evan Sarthou fell victim to a defensive turnover right in front of his net for Everett’s second goal. The other three goals came on power plays, so you can’t fault the goalies too much for that.
The Americans have the league’s second-best power play at 23.4 percent, but the Tips were able to hold Tri-City to 1-for-5 on the man advantage and killed off a four-minute double minor on Dario Winkler midway through the final period. And it’s not like the Tips are particularly adept at the penalty kill as their 76.5 percent average ranks 17th in the league.
On the other side Everett was 2-for-7 on the power play, a much better showing than their 17.4 percent average that ranks 21st in the 22-team league.
Tips forward Carson Stadnyk had a two-point game and spoke to the media afterward (with a little help from his friends):
Carson Stadnyk interview (with a Brandon Ralph cameo) from Everett Herald on Vimeo.
The Turning Point
Dario Winkler was sent to the box for four minutes at 9:16 in the third. The Tips held the Americans scoreless to reclaim momentum in the tied game and Winkler went on to score the game-winner at 17:15.
Three Stars
1. Everett F Carson Stadnyk: The overager had a goal and an assist and was plus-one to lead the Tips to the win.
2. Tri-City F Parker AuCoin: AuCoin opened the scoring with a nice shot through traffic less than three minutes in and was plus-one for the night.
3. Everett F Connor Dewar: The 16-year-old rookie continues to impress while filling in on the top line for injured captain Dawson Leedahl. Dewar had a key block in the final minute after Tri-City pulled its goalie.
