The Game
The Silvertips were in control from the get-go in a 4-0 win over the Brandon Wheat Kings. The first period was fairly wide open with both teams trading solid scoring chances. Everett was the only team to find the net and took a 1-0 lead and a 14-12 shot advantage into the first intermission.
M A T T F 😱 N T E Y N E
(cc @ESPNAssignDesk / @SportsCentre / @BarDown) pic.twitter.com/5otQqFAhQN
— Everett Silvertips (@WHLsilvertips) January 21, 2018
Carter Hart had an impressive save early in the second on a Brandon breakaway, but from that point on the Tips dominated play. The Wheat Kings looked like a weary road team playing its third game in four days (it was). Everett looked like a fresh team coming off a four-day break (it was).
Carter Hart gets a post-game visit from billet Parker Fowlds (who was wearing a Riley Sutter jersey). I’m told Fowlds will wear Hart’s Team Canada sweater tomorrow: 🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/KQ7g8X5vrp
— Jesse Geleynse (@JesseGeleynse) January 21, 2018
Per Tips broadcaster/director of media relations Mike Benton, this was Everett’s first home win over the Wheat Kings since a 5-2 victory in 2007. That game featured a Tips empty-netter from one Brennan Sonne.
Line notes:
Garrett Pilon again joined Connor Dewar and Riley Sutter on the second line.
Head coach Dennis Williams raved about the performance of the fourth line consisting of wingers Bronson Sharp and Spencer Gerth, and center Ethan O’Rourke.
“They were out there banging and eating pucks down low and doing exactly what we want out of them,” Williams said. “That’s a big, heavy physical line and when they’re playing that way they’re very effective.”
A couple of upcoming milestone alerts:
– The shutout was the 25th of Hart’s career and puts him one back of Tyson Sexsmith’s WHL record.
– Patrick Bajkov had a goal and two assists and is now three points shy of Zach Hamill’s career points franchise record of 262.
The Turning Point
Hart stoned a 3-on-2 at 8:06 in the second to preserve a 1-0 Everett lead. Bajkov scored four minutes later and the Tips cruised from there.
Three Stars
1. Everett F Matt Fonteyne: The co-captain had two goals and an assist.
2. Everett F Patrick Bajkov: Bajkov had a goal and two assists.
3. Everett G Carter Hart: Hart saved all 25 shots he saw for his sixth shutout of the season.
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