Site Logo

REFLECTIONS: Bajkov, Zwerger and Millar tally two-point nights

Published 12:00 am Thursday, December 29, 2016

By Jesse Geleynse Herald Writer

The Game

Whatever was said between the first and second periods Tuesday in Langley seems to have worked. In the ensuing five periods the Everett Silvertips outscored the Vancouver Giants 8-3, resulting in a 5-4 overtime loss Tuesday and a 4-1 win Wednesday as the WHL resumes play following the holiday break.

The Silvertips played a much more typical game Wednesday as they scored first and never trailed en route to a 3-0 lead and the 4-1 victory.

It could have been far more lopsided. The Tips converted just once on five power-play chances, a disconcerting statistic since the Giants are next-to-last in the penalty kill at 73.5 percent.

Mario Petit bounced back nicely with a 22-save effort one night after surrendering five goals. He’s got eight wins and has lost only once in regulation this season. He is now 8-1-2-0 with a 2.66 GAA and a .906 save percentage. His save percentage is tied for 10th among goalies who have appeared in 11 or more games. Petit’s GAA is fourth among those same goalies, but that’s due as much to Everett’s defensive style as anything else.

Rookie defenseman Gianni Fairbrother appeared in his second regular-season WHL game (in addition to two playoff games last spring) and performed as well as could be expected alongside fellow 2000-born blueliner Ian Walker on the third pairing. Fairbrother was called up from the Vancouver NW Giants of the BCMML prior to Tuesday’s game to add depth as Noah Juulsen remains away at World Juniors.

The win puts the Tips back atop the overall WHL standings with 56 points. Medicine Hat leads the Eastern Conference with 55 points. Prince George, which is second to Everett in the Western Conference with 54 points, visits Xfinity Arena Friday. Regina, one of the preseason WHL favorites, is second in the East with 53 points, but leads Everett in winning percentage .803 to .800. The Pats also have two games in hand of the Tips.

The Turning Point

Petit saved two close shots in an awkward sequence at the end of Vancouver’s first power play midway through the opening period to preserve Everett’s 1-0 lead. The Tips made it 2-0 soon after and were never challenged the rest of the way.

Three Stars

1. Everett F Patrick Bajkov: The Tips’ leading scorer had a goal and an assist and finished plus-three for the night.

2. Everett F Graham Millar: The overager had a goal and an assist.

3. Everett G Mario Petit: The Manitoban netminder had 22 saves and 23 shots to earn his eighth win of the year.

Honorable mention: Everett F Dominic Zwerger (one goal, one assist), Everett D Kevin Davis (one assist, 10-game point streak).

The Box Score

You Might Like