Still no Carter Hart as Everett Silvertips practice for Friday’s playoff opener

Published 6:57 pm Tuesday, March 22, 2016

The biggest news out of Tuesday’s Everett Silvertips practice was who wasn’t on the Xfinity Arena ice.

The absence of goaltender Carter Hart looms larger each day as Friday’s playoff opener with the Portland Winterhawks draws closer. In adhering to hockey tradition the Silvertips aren’t commenting on Hart’s status – or anyone else’s – for the duration of the playoffs.

Hart, the Tips’ 2015-16 MVP, told me Friday he planned to be back for the playoffs, but each day that he doesn’t practice makes that seem less likely. He hasn’t played in any games since March 12 at Tri-City, though the following night was a scheduled game off as the Tips finished their final three-in-three with Mario Petit getting the win at Portland.

Hart wasn’t listed on last week’s injury report, meaning the undisclosed ailment occurred after the report was submitted to the league and not prior to the March 13 game.

Needless to say, we’ll continue to monitor this Hart situation closely. However, we probably won’t know one way or another until scratches arrive in the press box an hour before faceoff on Friday.

Dawson Leedahl was a full participant in Tuesday’s practice after missing the final five games of the regular season. Leedahl’s last malady presumably was a re-injury of the broken hand he suffered on Feb. 6 that caused him to miss a month. Leedahl has played in just two games since initially breaking his hand.

Riley Sutter also participated in practice. He hasn’t played since breaking his tibia Jan. 22 in Edmonton.

Defenseman Tristen Pfeifer, who missed the final four games of the regular season didn’t practice Tuesday.

If you want an early preview from the Portland media perspective, Jason Vondersmith of the Portland Tribune looks at this opening round series.