REFLECTIONS: Silvertips fall despite impressive Lyda debut

The Game

Obviously a 3-2 overtime loss wasn’t the desire result. Nevertheless, the Everett Silvertips achieved a standings point in 15-year-old goaltender Blake Lyda’s WHL debut.

Speaking of Lyda: his debut ought to give Tips fans excitement for the future of Everett goaltending. He didn’t appear out of his element whatsoever as he became just the fourth 15-year-old to debut in net in franchise history. Carter Hart was the last in 2013-14.

15 years old
AP call-up
4th round, '17 draft
Starter

Welcome to #SilvertipCountry Blake Lyda pic.twitter.com/qaSEd7UDD8

— Everett Silvertips (@WHLsilvertips) October 19, 2017

Lyda is a year younger than the highly regarded Dustin Wolf (due back in the next month or so from offseason hip surgery), so the duo could give Everett a formidable 1-2 punch between the pipes beginning next season. As a 15-year-old, Lyda can only play in five regular-season games until his midget season concludes in Alberta.

The one caveat to Wednesday’s game? Tri-City netminder Patrick Dea was even better as he had 46 saves en route to first star honors. Dea is also an overager who came into the game with a 2-2-0 record, a 4.27 GAA and an .882 save percentage. He spelled 18-year-old starter Beck Warm (4-2-0, 3.47, .893) who beat visiting Kelowna 2-1 Tuesday night in Kennewick.

The Tips continue to get plenty of chances as they fired off 48 shots. Converting shots into goals remains a struggle.

The Turning Point

At 8:32 in the third, Lyda covered a puck played toward the goal from the neutral zone. He was assessed a delay of game penalty that gave Tri-City a 5-on-3, and Juuso Valimaki scored the go-ahead goal 24 seconds later.

Three Stars

Tri-City G Patrick Dea: The overager saved 46 of Everett’s 48 shots en route to his third victory of the season.

Tri-City D Dylan Coghlan: The blueliner had two assists and finished plus-two on the evening

Everett G Blake Lyda: The youngster saved 32 of the 35 shots he faced.

The Box Score