Silvertips complete a season sweep of the Kamloops Blazers

Published 1:30 am Monday, February 19, 2018

EVERETT — Martin Fasko-Rudas was ready.

The 2000-born Slovakian joined Patrick Bajkov and Matt Fonteyne on Everett’s top line Sunday and recorded a goal and two assists as the Silvertips defeated the visiting Kamloops Blazers 4-0 before 4,417 fans at Angel of the Winds Arena.

“They are (some) of the best guys on the team,” Fasko-Rudas said. “It was perfect (to) play with them. It is good for me for a lot of experience for next season, and it helped me.”

Fasko-Rudas replaced Sean Richards on the top line. Richards remains out of the lineup as he awaits his yet-to-be-determined suspension from the Western Hockey League for the game misconduct penalty he received Friday in Kent.

“If you want to mirror your game after anyone, watch Fasko,” Everett coach Dennis Williams said. “He gets rewarded because of his hard work and he moved up to one of our top lines just because of his compete (level) and work every day in practice.

“He’s a great teammate,” Williams continued. “You watch video of him and when he’s not on the ice and the team scores, he’s the happiest guy on the bench. You win with guys like him because to him, it’s not about the individual.”

The U.S. Division-leading Silvertips (38-17-2-3, 81 points) have won six of their past eight games and have a point in eight straight games.

Kamloops (26-28-1-4, 57 points) has dropped four straight and lost all four games to Everett this season.

Bajkov finished with a goal and an assist. Fonteyne added two assists for the Tips.

Backup goaltender Dustin Wolf recorded 20 saves for his fourth career shutout, but he was largely untested over the final two periods. Everett finished with a 42-20 shot advantage.

“Those are the hardest games sometimes (for goaltenders),” Williams said. “I thought he was sharp when he needed to be. (He) smothered pucks that hit him and had good rebound control.”

Fasko-Rudas opened the scoring in the first period and later assisted on Bajkov’s second-period power-play goal. The goal was the 107th of Bajkov’s WHL career, tying Tyler Maxwell’s career franchise record.

Bajkov hadn’t scored a goal since recording a hat trick against Kelowna on Feb. 3 — a streak of five games.

“It was nice to get one in general,” Bajkov said. “Hopefully I’ll loosen up and bear down a bit.”

Bryce Kindopp banged home a power-play goal during a net-front scrum at 5:18 in the third for the 4-0 lead. It was Everett’s third power-play goal of the contest.

“I thought we did a good job dictating the play and the flow of the game,” Williams said. “As we started to make their (defensemen) turn, I thought we played much better. There were a few times there in the first where we got into a number of turnovers at the blue line, but it was a good job by our power play and a good job by our penalty kill tonight.”

The Tips extended a 1-0 lead with a pair of power-play goals in the second period. Jake Christiansen’s point shot got past Max Palaga at 2:28 for a 2-0 advantage. Then Bajkov’s record-tying goal came on a power-play slap shot from the right circle at 18:17 as the Tips took a 3-0 lead into the second intermission.

The Tips finished 3-for-7 on the power play after a 1-for-10 showing in games against Seattle on Friday and Saturday.

“We thought we had a good third period (Saturday), so we just wanted to build on that coming into tonight,” Bajkov said. “I think we did a good job with that.”

Everett struck first when Fonteyne fed Fasko-Rudas, who stuck the puck between Palaga’s legs for the 1-0 lead at 11:05 in the opening period.

“Before the game, Fonzy and Bakes told me just to skate and they’d pass to me,” Fasko-Rudas said. “It was really a random goal because I didn’t see the puck.”

It was the second straight game in which Fasko-Rudas has scored a goal. He has five goals on the season.

The Silvertips play at Spokane on Tuesday. The faceoff is set for 7:05 p.m.

For the latest Silvertips news follow Jesse Geleynse on Twitter.

Silvertips 4, Blazers 0

Kamloops 0 0 0—0

Everett 1 2 1—4

1st Period—1, Everett, Fasko-Rudas 5 (Fonteyne, Bajkov), 11:05. Penalties-Harrison Kam (tripping), 2:10; Vala Evt (interference), 4:28.

2nd Period—2, Everett, Christiansen 6 (Fasko-Rudas, Wylie), 2:28 (PP). 3, Everett, Bajkov 28 (Fonteyne, Davis), 18:17 (PP). Penalties-Onyebuchi Kam (high sticking), 1:05; Appelt Kam (cross checking), 11:47; Onyebuchi Kam (tripping), 17:30.

3rd Period—4, Everett, Kindopp 18 (Fasko-Rudas, Sutter), 5:18 (PP). Penalties-Centazzo Kam (tripping), 3:45; Sharp Evt (high sticking), 5:53; Onyebuchi Kam (holding), 8:29; Denomie Kam (boarding), 15:42.

Shots on Goal—Kamloops 9-6-5-20. Everett 15-17-10-42.

Power Play Opportunities-Kamloops 0 / 2; Everett 3 / 7.

Goalies—Kamloops, Palaga 4-5-0-1 (42 shots-38 saves). Everett, Wolf 12-5-0-0 (20 shots-20 saves).

A—4,417