The Game
This was one the Everett Silvertips absolutely needed to have and they scratched their way past the hapless Vancouver Giants 1-0 Saturday to snap a seven-game winless streak.
Everett is now five points up on second-place Seattle though the Thunderbirds have one game in hand following a 4-3 shootout loss at Portland Saturday night. Yes, the Winterhawks did Everett a partial favor by beating the T-Birds, albeit allowing Seattle one point due to reaching overtime.
At Xfinity Arena Saturday the Tips fired everything they possibly could at Vancouver goalie Ryan Kubic, totalling 41 shots in all. Only Bradly Goethals’ second-period redirection got by Kubic.
That was enough as Carter Hart earned his seventh shutout of the season and 17th of his career, second to Leland Irving’s franchise record of 21 clean sheets. The win was also Hart’s 73rd to move him past Austin Lotz into second place behind Irving’s 107.
Hart was at his best in the final three minutes when the Tips had to kill a late penalty. Vancouver pulled Kubic to create a 6-on-4 situation, but the Everett defense held as the Tips finished their six-game season series against Vancouver with a 5-0-1-0 record to earn 11 of a possible 12 points.
The Tips ended their losing streak on Alumni Night as a number of Silvertips players returned to Xfinity Arena highlighted by Tyler Maxwell’s dropping of the ceremonial first puck. Look for additional coverage of Alumni Night next week.
On the injury front, Everett scratched defensemen Noah Juulsen and Lucas Skrumeda, and forward Connor Dewar.
RE: Juulsen, he told me he’s heading east with the team, which leads me to believe his return from his lower body injury is imminent. He hasn’t played since since Jan. 20.
RE: Skrumeda, he said his absence the past two nights has been precautionary after aggravating his own LBI Wednesday at Tri-City. He’s excited to be heading back to his home province.
RE: Dewar, “The Pitbull” missed the first game of his Silvertips career Saturday. Evidently he was banged up Friday though I don’t recall specifically when. I’ve heard he’s expected to go on the road trip.
The Turning Point
Goethals scored the only goal 6:12 into the second period.
Three Stars
1. Everett F Bradly Goethals: Goethals scored the game’s only goal.
2. Vancouver G Ryan Kubic: Kubic saved 40 of the 41 shots Everett sent his way.
3. Everett G Carter Hart: Hart recorded his league-best seventh shutout of the season.
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