The Game
The Everett Silvertips are still unbeaten and in first place in the U.S. Division.
That said, it’s only been two games, so don’t start planning on ordering a banner yet.
The development of Everett’s young defensive unit was one key storyline heading into this season. Everett has some excellent defensemen in Noah Juulsen, Kevin Davis, Lucas Skrumeda and Jake Christiansen, but need to develop depth beyond that group – particularly with Juulsen away at Montreal’s training camp and standing a good chance to make Team Canada’s World Juniors roster.
On Saturday, 2000-born Ian Walker joined 1999-born Christiansen on the second pairing while 1999-born defenseman Wyatte Wylie teamed with 2000-born rookie Montana Onyebuchi on the third pairing. Despite the youth the Tips held Vancouver without a shot for most of the opening period and just eight shots through the first two stanzas while finishing with 13 shots allowed.
Speaking of Wylie: the Everett native received the loudest ovation when all the players were introduced prior to the game. Wylie, you might recall, is the first Snohomish County player drafted and signed by the Tips.
Offensively Graham Millar scored the opening goal and now has three goals in two games. Matt Fonteyne tallied the game-winner while rookie Brett Kemp scored his first career goal. Seven different players have scored already for the Tips, so perhaps that’s a good sign.
Goaltender Lasse Petersen was rarely tested, but did finish with a dozen saves while earning his first victory of the season.
You might remember that last season Everett averaged about a game a week for the first six weeks of the season before finishing the campaign with one of the busiest schedules in the league. It’s not quite that extreme this year, but the Tips do have nearly a week off before they play at Portland on Friday followed by a road game at Tri-City on Sunday.
The Turning Point
Matt Fonteyne scored the game-winner with some nifty stickwork less than two minutes after Jack Flaman tied it late in the second period.
Three Stars
1. Everett F Patrick Bajkov: The winger had two assists and was plus-one for the evening.
2. Everett F Graham Millar: The overager scored his third goal of the season and was plus-one for the game.
3. Everett F Connor Dewar: The 17-year-old had one assist.
Honorable mention: Everett D Kevin Davis (two assists, plus-one), Everett F Matt Fonteyne (one goal).
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