Final thoughts as Everett Silvertips fall to Tri-City
Published 10:23 pm Saturday, March 12, 2016
The Game
There wasn’t much in the way of positives tonight, other than the Tips finally broke a scoreless drought thanks to Patrick Bajkov’s goal with nine seconds remaining.
Everett did clinch home-ice advantage, but that came courtesy of Seattle’s 10th win in a row. The Thunderbirds are now up six points with four games to go. Given the way both teams have played, it seems unlikely the Tips will be able to defend their U.S. Division title.
It sounds like Dawson Leedahl was a late scratch. I didn’t notice anything unusual during Friday’s game and broadcaster Mike Benton indicated that it was a late-breaking event during the pregame show.
Hopefully Leedahl will be fine. It’s been a tough year (and a tough career) injury-wise for the captain who just got back Tuesday after missing a month with a broken hand.
Tri-City looked like a team playing for its postseason life – which it is. The Americans and Silvertips are tied in terms of consecutive playoff appearances. Tri-City last missed the playoffs during the 2002-03 season – the year before the Tips came to be. Both teams have made it every year since.
It’s looking more and more as though Everett will play either Portland or Spokane in the first round. Both teams lost Saturday and the Winterhawks hold a slim one-point lead in the standings. Portland, however, holds a three-win advantage in case of a tie.
The Turning Point
Jordan Roy’s goal off a rebound two minutes into the third period created a 3-0 Tri-City lead.
Three Stars
1. Tri-City G Nicholas Sanders: Sanders narrowly missed his first career shutout when Bajkov scored with nine seconds to go.
2. Tri-City D Brandon Carlo: Carlo scored the game’s first goal.
3. Tri-City F Nolan Yaremko: Yarmko assisted Jordan Roy’s goal that essentially clinched the game.
