EVERETT – Michael Wall didn’t waste any time breaking in his new goalie pads.
A week after getting the new pads, Wall gave them a trial by fire, starting three games in four days for the Everett Silvertips.
“They’re a little bit different, a little bit bigger than my older ones,” Wall said about his new pads. “But I like them, they’re doing a good job.
“These ones weren’t too big of an adjustment, other than the size.”
The 18-year-old Wall, Everett’s No. 2 goalkeeper, had been on the bench in the Silvertips’ previous six games through a combination of breaking in the new pads and the proficiency of Everett’s No. 1 goalie, Jeff Harvey.
But when Harvey – who moved up to fifth in the Western Hockey League in goals-against average (2.25) and fourth in save percentage (.921) by surrendering just six goals in those six games – came down with the flu, Wall was called on a little ahead of schedule.
Wall’s pads came through with flying colors. In back-to-back games against Portland, Wall made 30 saves in a 4-1 victory, and 25 saves in a 1-1 tie as the Silvertips passed the Winter Hawks for third place in the U.S. Division. Wall then made 21 saves in a 4-2 loss at Tri-City.
“I sat for the last six games, so getting three (starts) in four days was a little bit of a test for me,” Wall said. “But I thought I did pretty well. Both Portland games I thought I played really well in there, then against Tri-City we kind of had a bad effort out there. But other than that, it was good.”
Wall is 4-4-2 with a 2.20 goals-against average and a .916 save percentage, though he has not played enough minutes to qualify among the league leaders.
Injury update: Tyler Dietrich just can’t seem to catch a break.
Dietrich, Everett’s injury-plagued left wing, now looks like he’ll be out through the Christmas break with his latest shoulder injury.
Dietrich, expected to be a key offensive contributor this season, played just two games before suffering a shoulder injury. He missed two months before returning, then suffered another shoulder injury after another two games.
Dietrich is not expected to return to the lineup until at least Dec. 27, when the Silvertips play host to Seattle.
Scouting report: When Kootenay (15-13-1-3, fourth in the B.C. Division) arrives in Everett tonight for the first-ever meeting between the two franchises, the Ice won’t be bringing the WHL’s leading goal scorer.
Kootenay’s Nigel Dawes led the league with 26 goals heading into the Ice’s Wednesday night game at Tri-City. However, the 18-year-old left wing is attending Canada’s junior national team selection camp and will not be available tonight.
With Dawes out, the Kootenay offense will be dependent upon the trio of 19-year-old center Adam Taylor (10 goals, 18 assists), 19-year-old right wing Adam Cracknell (eight goals, 20 assists) and 18-year-old center Dale Mahovsky (12 goals, 15 assists).
In goal, 18-year-old Jeff Glass (11-8, 2.89 goals-against average, .895 save percentage) has carried the main load.
For Everett (12-11-4-1, tied for third in the U.S. Division), Riley Armstrong, who is tied for third on the team in scoring with seven goals and nine assists, scored 16 points in 65 games with Kootenay last season.
Around the WHL: After going 1-1-1 last week, Everett dropped one spot, to 13th, in the Western Major Junior Hockey Writers Association Poll. Kelowna was the unanimous No. 1, garnering all 18 first-place votes. Swift Current and Prince Albert remained in second and third, respectively. … Red Deer goalie Cam Ward was named the WHL Player of the Week for Dec. 1-7. Ward picked up three wins in three road starts, compiling a 1.66 goals-against average and a .940 save percentage. … Kelowna goalie Kelly Guard moved into first place on the WHL list for career shutouts. Guard’s 5-0 shutout against Spokane last week was his eighth of the season and 14th of his career. The previous record was 13 set by Kamloops’ Corey Hirsch from 1988-92.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
