EVERETT – As of late the Everett Silvertips have been about power play, power play, and more power play.
Everett’s been scoring at will with the man advantage, leaving opponents with dread when they see the Silvertips’ talent-laden No. 1 power-play unit take the ice.
One problem: It’s been power play and nothing else.
That’s why Tuesday night’s result was so gratifying for the Silvertips.
Everett defeated a top team without the benefit of a power-play goal as the Silvertips beat the Kootenay Ice 2-0 at the Everett Events Center.
Brennan Sonne and Dan Gendur each scored four-on-four goals – for Gendur it was his first as a Silvertip – and Leland Irving tied the franchise record for career shutouts, leading Everett (24-2-0-1) to its sixth straight win.
“Our power play has done so well lately, and (Kootenay) did a good job against us tonight,” Everett coach Kevin Constantine said. “We didn’t seem to get our shots on net the way we have in the past. It was nice to actually get a win where we weren’t completely power-play dependent.”
Everett scored 13 power-play goals in its past three games, a dominating stretch with the advantage. But over the same stretch Everett was outscored 3-2 at even strength, a worrying trend.
But while Kootenay shut down Everett’s power play, holding the Tips 0-for-8, Everett was able to find a way at even strength.
“Our power play’s really been clicking recently, then tonight we get two four-on-four goals,” Sonne remarked. “What else can you say, four-on-four’s all about the work ethic.”
While Everett’s power play may have misfired, the Tips’ other special team rolled. Everett’s penalty kill, led by defensemen Cody Thoring and Jason Fransoo, was at top form, holding the Ice 0-for-8. That included a 1-minute, 23-second stretch of five-on-three late in the third period that could have turned the game, but which Everett rendered helpless.
The penalty kill was a big reason why Irving, who recorded his 12th career shutout to match Michael Wall’s franchise record, was rarely tested on his 31 saves.
“It’s nice to get two points against one of the best teams in the league,” Irving said. “I’ve got to give all the credit to the guys in front of me who are sacrificing, blocking shots, allowing me to see the puck. It definitely makes my job a lot easier.”
Taylor Dakers made 21 saves in goal for Kootenay (19-9-1-2). Although he was called upon less often than Irving, Dakers was forced into far more difficult saves.
The Ice were left lamenting their inability to capitalize on four straight power plays in the third period.
“Everett’s penalty kill is a lot different than most we’ve faced,” Kootenay right wing and former Silvertip Curtis Billsten said. “They are very aggressive and focus on that hard. I think we were caught a little hesitant in what we were doing.”
Everett grabbed the lead with a hard-working goal at 14:18 of the first period. With the teams skating four-on-four, good work on the forecheck by Sonne and Zack Dailey kept the puck in the zone and opened up a shooting opportunity for Graham Potuer at the right point. Potuer shot as Sonne skated in front of the net, and Sonne tipped it past Dakers to make it 1-0.
Everett doubled its lead with another four-on-four goal at 14:26 of the second period. Eric Doyle, at the top of the right circle, faked a slap shot and instead passed out front where Gendur, knifing down the middle, redirected it in to make it 2-0.
Slap shots: As expected, Everett center Peter Mueller was among the 22 players announced Tuesday night for the U.S team for the World Junior Hockey Championships. Mueller was one of two players from the Western Hockey League to be chosen, along with Spokane defenseman Sean Zimmerman. This is Mueller’s second selection for the World Juniors. … Everett left wing Kyle Beach had an eventful night, despite not finding the scoresheet. Beach agitated the Ice into several penalties, took three minor penalties of his own, and also got into a fight with Kootenay defenseman Chad Greenan, who’s three years his elder.
At Everett Events Center
Kootenay000-0 Everett110-2
First Period-1, Everett, Sonne 3 (Potuer, Harty), 14:18. Penalties-Kurceba, Kootenay (interference), 4:10; Bohunicky, Kootenay (roughing), 8:24; Beach, Everett (roughing), 12:49; Billsten, Kootenay (boarding), 13:22; DaSilva, Kootenay (roughing), 18:11; Busto, Kootenay (roughing), 19:21.
Second Period-2, Everett, Gendur 3 (Fiala, Doyle), 14:26. Penalties-Kurceba, Kootenay (tripping), 5:59; Gendur, Everett (diving), 5:59; Bohunicky, Kootenay (elbowing), 7:25; Fiala, Everett (tripping), 9:07; Dakers, Kootenay (roughing, served by King), 12:42; Beach, Everett (roughing), 12:42; Beach, Everett (unsportsmanlike conduct), 15:13; Greenan, Kootenay (fighting), 17:30; Beach, Everett (fighting), 17:30; Potuer, Everett (boarding), 18:05.
Third Period-No goals. Penalties-DaSilva, Kootenay (unsportsmanlike conduct), 2:50; Fransoo, Everett (delay of game), 6:10; Harty, Everett (hooking), 11:29; Thoring, Everett (interference), 14:10; Potuer, Everett (roughing), 14:48, Bailey, Kootenay (roughing), 19:07.
Shots on goal-Kootenay 5-7-19-31. Everett 8-9-6-23. Power-play opportunities-Kootenay 0 of 8. Everett 0 of 8.
Goalies-Kootenay, Dakers 11-3-0-1 (23 shots, 21 saves). Everett, Irving 18-2-0-1 (31 shots, 31 saves).
A-4,708.
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