The Game
The Silvertips were fortunate to come out with a point after a difficult first period and a half. After falling into a 2-0 hole in the opening eight minutes, head coach Kevin Constantine pulled goalie Carter Hart for Mario Petit.
It’s worth noting that pulling the goaltender can be done for various reasons. It can be used to jump-start a team, to not subject a goalie to a porous defense, or simply because the goalie doesn’t have it that night. I don’t know what Constantine’s rationale was in this instance, but Petit was very effective as he finished with 20 saves on 22 shots to suffer the tough-luck loss in overtime.
While it might be tempting to embrace the “comeback” narrative, I suspect the Tips would say that had they come out with more intensity at the start a comeback wouldn’t have been necessary.
Anyway, Riley Sutter continued his torrid start by scoring twice in the third period to turn a two-goal deficit into a 3-3 tie and force overtime that ensured Everett would earn a point. That possibility was made more difficult when Kelowna received an extra skater after Kevin Davis took a penalty with 11 seconds to play in regulation. Per Tips broadcaster Mike Benton it sounded like Davis had no choice and took the penalty to prevent a breakaway chance for Kelowna. Regardless, the Rockets scored
The Tips remain in first place over idle Portland by two points.
The Turning Point
Petit entered the game at 7:50 in the opening period facing a 2-0 deficit. From that juncture Everett outscored Kelowna 3-1 in regulation to force overtime.
Three Stars
1. Kelowna F Nolan Foote: The rookie scored his first career goal (off an assist from his brother Cal).
2. Everett F Riley Sutter: The soon-to-turn 17-year-old scored two goals and now has six on the campaign.
3. Kelowna F Rodney Southam: The captain scored first goal as Kelowna never trailed.
BONUS:
– The Edmonton Oilers have called up former Tips defenseman Ben Betker.
The #Oilers have recalled defenceman Ben Betker from the @Condors & placed defenceman Mark Fayne on Injured Reserve. pic.twitter.com/jHnvMCfRJW
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) October 19, 2016
Edmonton’s sixth-rounder in 2013, Betker had three goals and 14 assists in 49 games with the ECHL’s Norfolk Admirals last year, and contributed two assists in 14 games with the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors.
If the Cranbrook, B.C., native dresses he would become the 17th former Silvertip to play in the NHL.
– The Western Canada U-16 Challenge Cup began Wednesday in Calgary, and Silvertips sixth-round bantam pick Dylan Holloway scored the game-winning goal with 2.8 seconds to play in Team Alberta’s 4-3 win over Team Saskatchewan.
Krebs, Holloway combine for last-second magic to lift @HockeyAlberta past @sask_hockey.
GAME STORY ???? | https://t.co/MCB9CRJdVC pic.twitter.com/Z05WOdmTFD
— The WHL (@TheWHL) October 20, 2016
Forward Ethan Browne, Everett’s first-round pick also suited up for Team Alberta, while defenseman Alex Moar, a fifth-round pick, skated for Team Saskatchewan.
In the Manitoba-BC game, Tips prospect Reece Vitelli scored a goal and Mark Liwiski also skated for Manitoba in a 7-3 loss to BC.
– ICYMI forward Bradly Goethals, acquired by Everett from Brandon last week, has headed back to Manitoba and will not report.
For the latest Silvertips news follow Jesse Geleynse on Twitter @jessegeleynse.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
