Final thoughts as Everett Silvertips defeat Vancouver Giants
Published 11:28 pm Friday, December 18, 2015
The Game
This Vancouver Giants team continues to push the Everett Silvertips each time the teams square off. Yet The Tips managed to prevail again in overtime thanks to a great individual effort from Carson Stadnyk, who took the puck up the right wing and went top shelf on Vancouver netminder Ryan Kubic in the second minute of overtime for the 3-2 victory.
Coupled with Seattle’s overtime loss to Tri-City, the Silvertips took over first place all alone in the U.S. Division with 40 points. The Tips have won four straight and five consecutive road games.
The fourth consecutive victory is a season high. Perhaps it’s also telling that these four wins have come following last week Wednesday’s five-goal, third-period meltdown in a 7-5 home loss to Portland.
Kubic was impressive in net despite the three goals allowed. He appears to be the most consistent goalie Vancouver has used this season, though six have played between the pipes.
Everett goaltender Carter Hart had 18 saves on 20 shots and allowed just one goal when the teams were at even strength. The penalty kill continues to be an issue the Tips will address. They killed one of two Vancouver power plays.
Everett has one more game before the week-long break. Head coach Kevin Constantine was emphatic that the team couldn’t “go on break before the break.” If the Tips win Saturday we can consider that mission accomplished.
The Turning Point
Carson Stadnyk scored the game-winner at 1:38 in overtime as the Tips won their fourth straight to spoil Vancouver’s Teddy Bear Toss.
Three Stars
Note: Usually I take the official three stars as selected by the official box score. However, Friday’s three stars were all Giants and that didn’t seem to match the game. So I picked my own.
1. Everett F Carson Stadnyk: The overager scored the game-winning goal and added an assist and a plus-two performance on the ice.
2. Vancouver G Ryan Kubic: Kubic recorded 34 saves in a losing effort.
3. Everett F Connor Dewar: The rookie scored Everett’s first goal on an impressive wrister from a tough angle on the goal line and finished plus-two for the night.
Honorable mention: Vancouver F Trevor Cox (assisted both Vancouver goals), Everett D Lucas Skrumeda (one assist, plus-two).
