REFLECTIONS: Tips go up 1-0 in first-round series vs. Royals

The Game

The Silvertips started strong and built a four-goal lead and held on to top Victoria 4-2 in Game One of their best-of-seven WHL Western Conference quarterfinal series.

The game devolved a bit into some chippiness in the final period and allowed the Royals to score a second power-play goal to make it interesting with about five minutes to play.

Victoria appeared to care more about sending a message with its third-period physicality than about coming back in the game. There were no official fights though there was ample roughing. Chaz Reddekopp, making his first appearance for Victoria in several weeks, was assessed a four-minute penalty for spearing Noah Juulsen with four seconds to go in the game. It will be interesting to see how this plays out over the remainder of the series.

Everett scored twice on the power play, but uncharacteristically gave up two power-play goals as well. Furthermore, both power-play goals came with less than 10 seconds remaining on the Victoria man advantage.

Carter Hart made several exceptional saves in net for the Tips. One came on a Ralph Jarratt wide-open look that Hart managed to deflect out of play. Another came in the second period during a 5-on-3 Victoria power play when he dove across the crease to put his face in front of a shot moments before the Royals scored their first goal.

We will also have to pay attention to Everett’s depth. The Tips played two wingers at center and had two defensemen playing on the fourth line.

The Turning Point

Kevin Davis opened the scoring on the power play at 8:11 in the first period. That seemed to settle the Tips who went on to build a 4-0 lead.

.@k_davis97 gets the @WHLSilvertips on the board with a shot from the point #EVTvsVIC #WHLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/76m9CEiJFv
— #WHLPlayoffs (@TheWHL) March 25, 2017