REFLECTIONS: Luding, Silvertips respond in a big way
Published 1:30 am Sunday, September 24, 2017
The Game
Chalk this one up as a major confidence booster for the Everett Silvertips.
Sure, the Tri-City Americans were missing a pair of 2017 NHL first-round draft picks, but the Tips showed they had the ability to start strong and hold a lead.
There was a slight sense of deja vu as Everett took a 2-0 lead into the first intermission. Unlike Saturday, however, they answered Tri-City’s first (and only) goal with two more of their own to give Dennis Williams his first win as a WHL head coach.
Dorrin Luding was excellent between the pipes as he bounced back from a rough opener for his first WHL victory. Riley Sutter opened the scoring with a power-play goal (his second in as many games), Patrick Bajkov scored twice, and Sean Richards capped the scoring with some impressive handles through the Tri-City defense.
Carter Hart remains out with the flu. The Tips are off until Friday when they play at Kelowna, giving Hart time to further recuperate.
The Turning Point
Patrick Bajkov’s goal at 18:10 in the second answered Tri-City’s tally two minutes earlier and pushed Everett’s lead back to two.
Three Stars
1. Everett Patrick Bajkov: The alternate captain had two goals and an assist to finish plus-two.
2. Everett G Dorrin Luding: Luding saved 42 of the 43 shots he faced for his first WHL win.
3. Everett D Jake Christiansen: The blueliner had an assist and finished plus-three.
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