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REFLECTIONS: Fatigue a factor in Everett Silvertips loss

Published 1:30 am Tuesday, January 17, 2017

By Jesse Geleynse Herald Writer

The Game

The Everett Silvertips appeared tired at the start and were no match for the Seattle Thunderbirds Tuesday in a 3-1 loss at ShoWare Center.

It was a one-goal game for most of the evening, but that was due almost exclusively to Carter Hart, who rebounded from an uncharacteristic four-goal outing on Monday.

Both Seattle goals were beautifully orchestrated by Hart’s Team Canada teammate Mathew Barzal, who right now is in the sort of zone where he can pretty much do anything he wants with the puck. Barzal scored the first goal on a backhander from a seemingly impossible angle in the first period, then found Keegan Kolesar in front of the net for the game-winner in the second.

Seattle’s top line of Barzal, Kolesar and Ryan Gropp combined for six points and is playing very well as the T-Birds are in the midst of a six-game winning streak.

The clincher came when Kolesar came out of the box behind Noah Juulsen and took the puck from the Tips captain. Kolesar found Alexander True whose goal from center ice closed it out. Colleague Tim Pigulski noted that with Hart pulled, there was no one slapping the ice to signal the impending end to the penalty, so that could have been a factor.

Seattle goaltender Rylan Toth was almost perfect as he saved 23 of 24 shots. Hart saved 30 of 32.

The Tips have a much-needed two-day break from games before resuming what will be a three-in-three Friday night against – you guessed it – the Thunderbirds.

Seattle now has a 3-2 lead in the season series though the Tips are 2-1-1-1. Those “loser” points could be huge in terms of division standings as the teams wind down the regular season.

Bonus

Don’t forget to check out Andy Eide’s story here.

The Turning Point

Barzal’s fancy stickwork set up Kolesar for the game-winning goal at 12:28 in the second.

Three Stars

1. Seattle F Matthew Barzal: Had a goal and an assist and was plus-two.

2. Seattle F Ryan Gropp: Had two assists and was plus-two

3. Seattle G Rylan Toth: Allowed only a power-play goal while stopping 23 shots.

Honorable mention: Seattle F Keegan Kolesar (one goal, one assist, plus-three), Everett G Carter Hart (30 saves, 32 shots faced)

The Box Score

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