EVERETT – The Everett Silvertips could use a little spark.
Everett may have returned home from Kelowna tied 1-1 in its Western Hockey League Western Conference finals series, but the Silvertips managed that despite something of an offensive power outage.
Everett managed just 19 shots on Kelowna goalie Kelly Guard in its 3-2 victory in Game 1, then managed just 14 shots in its 2-1 loss in Game 2. It seems doubtful that the Silvertips can win the series putting so few pucks on net.
“We need to get more shots on Guard,” said Everett center John Dahl, who leads the Silvertips with nine assists in the playoffs. “The first two games show that we couldn’t get any pucks into their end and create any offense. As far as our shots go, it’s just got to to get better. We’re not getting any traffic in front of Guard, he’s seeing the first shot and able to clear the rebound out of there. If we can change our game to get traffic in front of him, maybe we’ll get more chances.”
This was no surprise – Kelowna was the best defensive team in the WHL this season, surrendering a league-low 125 goals in 72 games. That defense was a big reason why Guard was able to set a WHL record with 13 shutouts this season.
However, Everett coach Kevin Constantine was not too concerned, noting that the Silvertips played better in Game 2, despite having fewer shots on goal.
“We don’t really look at shots at all,” Constantine said. “We never have all year. We look at scoring chances and they’re down from what they were in the first two series. But I don’t know that we can change that because Kelowna is pretty damn good. We also have to not give a lot and hopefully we’ll get our chances to score somewhere.”
And although the Silvertips have struggled to get into the Kelowna zone, once they’ve broken through, they’ve been dangerous.
“Most of our shots were great scoring chances,” Dahl said. “We were fine. When we did come off the rush and had a good cycle, we hit a post the other night in the third and that could have tied the game up. Our chances are really good once we get in their end. It’s just that we’re not throwing pucks on net.
“Kelowna right now is throwing everything at us and getting 30-plus shots a game, but if (Everett goalie Jeff Harvey) is seeing the shot coming from the point or the corner, it’s not going to do much damage,” Dahl added. “As long as we keep trying to play strong defensively in our end and try and create a little more in front of their goalie, I think things might start happening for us.”
Slap shots: Everett left wing Tyler Dietrich is doubtful for tonight’s game. Dietrich returned from a head injury for Game 1 and had two assists. But he was used sparingly in Game 2 after the soreness flared back up and he did not practice Monday. … Defenseman Devin Wilson has been sent home. Wilson, a 21-year-old from Buchanan, Saskatchewan, was sent home over the weekend for a violation of team rules. Wilson, one of Everett’s five overagers, did not suit up in the second round against Vancouver or the first two games against Kelowna, losing his place to Cody Thoring. Wilson had one goal and nine assists in 57 games during the regular season and no points in three games during the playoffs. … Defenseman Ivan Baranka is currently on a six-game points streak, tallying two goals and four assists during the span. The six-game streak matches the franchise record, set by Riley Armstrong from Feb. 10-20. … Good seats are still available for tonight’s Game 3 and Thursday’s Game 4. Lower-bowl seats are still available for tonight, but are available on a limited basis for Thursday.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
