Long road trip a return home for some Silvertips
Published 1:30 am Thursday, October 5, 2017
Riley Sutter has had the chance to skate Calgary’s SaddleDome many times.
Only once, however, has he done so in a game. That changes Friday as the Everett Silvertips take on the Calgary Hitmen at 7 p.m.
“I’m definitely used to (the SaddleDome), but it’s a lot different during a game,” Sutter said. “The atmosphere is quite a bit different, but it’s always exciting going back.”
Sutter grew up in Calgary and his father, Ron, was a long-time NHL player and works in player development for the Flames. Riley used to get on the ice after the Flames held morning skate sessions growing up.
The Silvertips were in Calgary two years ago when Sutter was a rookie. This year carries some additional weight.
“I’m a bit older now so there’s more expectations going into the year,” Sutter said. “I have lots of family and friends coming to the game so I’m really excited and hope I play well.”
Sutter isn’t alone. There are nine current Silvertips who hail from Alberta. The trip to Alberta comes once every two years as it alternates with the East Division, and is always an exciting opportunity for players to see the stands full of familiar faces.
“It’s exciting to go back and play … especially in front of my grandparents, because they don’t get to see me play that often,” said Tips co-captain Matt Fonteyne, a native of Wetaskiwin, Alberta. “Just growing up they watched every single game. It’s always nice playing in front of them, knowing they’re watching me and seeing them after the game.”
The Tips play at Edmonton Sunday, followed by Red Deer and Medicine Hat on Tuesday and Wednesday. The trip concludes with games at Lethbridge and Kootenay next Friday and Saturday before the team returns home.
“This trip here, it’s a first for me,” first-year head coach Dennis Williams said. “There’s not a lot of practice time so we’ll do a lot of teaching on the board, teaching on video and keeping guys rested.
“With this type of long road trip you have not only manage their on-ice time, but the off-the-ice components.”
The team will take some time to celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving on Monday in their home country. It will also provide bonding opportunities.
“We’ll definitely get together as a group during the day and spend some time to get to know one another,” Williams said. “It’s been a fast pace from training camp, seven (preseason) games into the home opener against Portland and it just snowballs. I do think there is a lot of time on this trip for guys to get to know one another more than if they don’t billet or hang out together.”
Everett (2-3-0, four points) has dropped back-to-back games in disappointing fashion. The Tips allowed two goals in the final four minutes in a 5-4 loss at Tri-City on Saturday, then saw Spokane score the game-winning goal with 3.5 seconds remaining Wednesday.
Patrick Bajkov has two goals and leads the team with 12 points. Connor Dewar and Fonteyne each have five goals while Sutter has four goals so far in the young season. Everett remains without goaltender Carter Hart, who is not on the road trip after contracting mononucleosis.
Matteo Gennaro leads the Hitmen (1-2-1, three points) with three goals and two assists. Vladislav Yeryomenko has a goal and four assists while Jake Kryski has a goal and three assists. Andrei Grishakov and Jakob Stukel have each scored twice. Nick Schneider has played three games in net and has an .884 save percentage and a 3.67 goals-against average.
The Hitmen are coming off a 5-4 loss to Saskatoon.
“Long trips like this are a time for the younger guys to hang out with the older guys and vice versa,” Sutter said. “Everyone bonds together a little more. I’m kind of middle of the pack. I’m hanging out with younger guys and older guys. I’m trying to move my way around the bus and socialize (with everyone).”
For the latest Silvertips news follow Jesse Geleynse on Twitter.
