EVERETT – It’s safe to say the Everett Silvertips have put January in the rearview mirror.
The Silvertips capped off a strong weekend by defeating the Red Deer Rebels 3-0 Saturday night in a Western Hockey League game.
Before an Everett Events Center crowd of 7,786, Brady Calla had the first two-goal game of his WHL career and Michael Wall had his league-leading 10th shutout of the season for Everett (28-22-7-2), which has found February much more to its liking. After a 4-10 January, the Silvertips are now 6-1-1 in February as they gear up for the stretch run.
“Things are rolling for sure,” Wall said. “Guys are working a lot harder. We’re better defensively than we have been, not giving up so many scoring chances, and I think that has a lot to do with it. We get a goal and a lead and we just tighten down defensively. Now we’re back to old Silvertips hockey.”
One night after an offensive explosion in a 6-1 victory over Prince George, Everett returned to it’s regular winning formula. The Tips played a dominant first period, getting an early lead on Calla’s power-play goal, and Everett clamped down defensively the rest of the way.
“I just liked the way we started the game,” Everett coach Kevin Constantine said. “You’re always a little nervous that when you win like the night before, you’re going to start a little slow or take things for granted. We had a very good first period which is a sign of readiness.”
Wall finished with 29 saves and Shaun Heshka added an empty-net goal for Everett, which has moved within seven points of U.S. Division-leading Seattle.
“We’ve got tons of time (to catch Seattle),” Calla said. “We have four games left with them and we’re doing well in the season series already, so if we can capitalize on those we’re going to be right there. They’re almost letting us control our own destiny at this point.”
Red Deer goaltender Andrew Leslie finished with 27 saves and helped keep the Rebels in it after a one-sided first period where Everett out-shot Red Deer 15-3.
“Fifteen shots wasn’t a good period, but we only gave up one goal,” Red Deer captain Colin Fraser said. “Our goalie, Leslie, gave us a chance to win. We had a pretty good second half to the game, we just didn’t really create much or get great scoring chances. Against a team like this you have to make the best of your chances and we didn’t do that.”
The Silvertips came out on fire in the first period forcing Red Deer back into its own end for much of the first 20 minutes, and Everett capitalized at 13:59. On the power play, Calla had a loose puck slip out to him in the left slot. Calla’s first shot produced a fantastic kick save from Leslie, but the puck eventually came back to Calla and he scored on his second shot.
The game evened up in the second and third periods, but Calla gave Everett breathing space with a great solo effort at 11:02 of the third. Calla picked up the puck in the neutral zone, zigzagged through defenders and tucked a backhand shot into the corner to make it 2-0. Calla’s two goals gave him eight for the season.
Everett had to withstand some Red Deer pressure late, including a two-minute period of six-on-four with Ivan Baranka in the penalty box for tripping and Leslie pulled for an extra attacker. But Heshka clinched it by scoring his 10th goal of the season from his own blue line with 18.6 seconds remaining.
Slap shots: Everett left wing Karel Hromas returned to the lineup Saturday. Hromas was sidelined the previous four games because of the flu. The Tips made one other change from Friday, with defenseman Graham Potuer returning to the lineup in place of Randy King. … For Red Deer, 19-year-old forwards Tyler Johnson and Joel Henituik were both scratched because of minor shoulder injuries.
Silvertips 3, Rebels 0
Red Deer000-0
Everett102-3
First Period-1, Everett, Calla 7, 13:59 (pp).
Second Period-No goals.
Third Period-2, Everett, Calla 8 (Annesley), 11:02. 3, Everett, Heshka 10, 19:41 (en).
Shots on goal-Red Deer 3-11-15-29. Everett 15-6-9-30. Power-play opportunities-Red Deer 0 of 3. Everett 1 of 5.
Goalies-Red Deer, Leslie 10-8-2 (29 shots, 27 saves). Everett, Wall 21-17-6 (29 shots, 29 saves).
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