The Game
This is one the Everett Silvertips could end up wishing they had back, particularly when it comes time to award the Scotty Munro Trophy for regular-season WHL champion. Then again, Everett’s only Scotty Munro-winning team was bounced in the second round of the 2007 WHL playoffs – the same round that claimed last year’s Munro champ Victoria.
Nevertheless, the Tips had leads of 2-0 and 3-2, only to surrender both advantages and enter overtime. Everett then dominated possession in the extra session while outshooting Spokane 5-1, but the Chiefs held strong and eventually prevailed 4-3 in the shootout as Riley Woods beat Carter Hart with a wrister on Spokane’s first attempt.
Everett did gain five of a possible six standings points this weekend while defeating in regulation the two teams directly behind it in U.S. Division standings. The Tips did so despite playing every healthy body they brought to Kennewick on Saturday. Everett saw the return of three important contributors Sunday in defenseman Lucas Skrumeda, and forwards Dominic Zwerger and Devon Skoleski.
“The mind is definitely stronger than the body when you play three in three,” said Skrumeda, who returned after a two-week absence due to a lower-body injury. “Obviously your legs are going to get tired. We traveled a long way last night to Tri(-City) and then back, but Spokane had to travel too. When it comes down to it they got the last goal and we didn’t.”
The Tips rested captain Noah Juulsen on Sunday. Juulsen, Everett’s top defenseman, didn’t skate Thursday in practice, played Friday against Seattle and then sat out both Saturday and Sunday’s games. Juulsen evidently suffered a lingering lower-body injury during World Juniors. He was able to gut through when necessary (like Friday’s game against Seattle), but will need time to fully heal.
The Turning Point
The Tips earned a 4-on-3 power play midway through the overtime period and came up empty. That gave Spokane a chance to win it in the shootout.
Three Stars
1. Everett F Patrick Bajkov: The veteran had a goal and an assist.
2. Spokane F Kailer Yamamoto: The projected 2017 NHL first-rounder had a goal and an assist.
3. Everett F Matt Fonteyne: Bajkov’s linemate had Everett’s first goal less than a minute into the game.
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