Some more numbers as the Everett Silvertips look to snap skid

Published 1:30 am Thursday, February 2, 2017

The Silvertips didn’t practice today. That’s not surprising since they’re in the midst of seven games in nine days and head coach Kevin Constantine is big believer in purposeful rest.

As assistant coach Mitch Love mentioned on 1380 KRKO after Wednesday’s game, special teams and goaltending have been key factors in the team’s struggles, particularly during the current six-game winless streak. So I crunched a few more numbers here (too many stats tend to bog down a traditional article).

As I noted in today’s story the Tips are in an 0-for-22 power play skid, and that’s big deal for a team that gets more than 30 percent of its scoring while up a man.

How has that translated into overall scoring? Glad you asked.

Prior to the holiday break the Tips were averaging 3.42 goals per game. Since the break they’re averaging 2.82, and in the last six games (while 0-for-22 on PP) they’re averaging a paltry 1.89. Despite the drought Everett remains seventh in the WHL on the power play (22.6 percent), so even converting at its season average could have turned the tide in several games during the winless stretch.

Everett’s penalty kill actually improved in the second half from third (85.3 percent) to first (86.4 percent) despite allowing four power-play goals in the last four games. The telling statistic is when the goals were allowed. Last Saturday Everett allowed two to the Thunderbirds in the final eight minutes at ShoWare Center to turn a sleepy 2-1 victory into a devastating 3-2 defeat, the penalty kill melting down at the worst possible time.

Now let’s take a look at the Tips goaltenders, the other reason they’ve been so successful.

Everett didn’t struggle much during Carter Hart’s World Juniors absence, and since Hart returned his save percentage is .912 with a goals-against average of 2.57. Very respectable numbers, but prior to the WJC his numbers were .928 and 1.85. Since returning Hart has been both stellar (shutouts at Kamloops and vs. Seattle, 42 saves at Portland) and disappointing (yanked at Tri-City, three-plus goals allowed in his last four completed starts), meaning consistency has been an issue.

Petit’s overall numbers are also quite respectable, particularly for a seldom-used backup who was thrust into the starter’s role for a month. He has a .900 save percentage and 2.77 GAA. However, since the holiday break Petit’s numbers are .885 and 3.00.

So there you have it. Numbers can be construed many ways, and if there is a silver lining it’s that the Silvertips have generally been getting more quality scoring chances than their opponents.

Nevertheless, if they still hope to win the division they desperately need a win or two this weekend to stop the hemorrhaging before heading to Manitoba.

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