CRANBROOK, B.C. — The Everett Silvertips have sought to avoid complacency as they embarked on a challenging road trip to the Central Division.
So far, so good for the Silvertips, who knocked off the Kootenay Ice 2-0 before 1,885 fans at Western Financial Place in Cranbrook, B.C., Tuesday.
Everett (11-5-0-1, 23 points) won its third straight and for the sixth time in its past seven games. Kootenay (4-16-2-0, 10 points) lost as the Ice continue to battle injuries that have decimated the team.
Dario Winkler put the Tips on the board with a power-play goal late in the second period, and captain Dawson Leedahl made it 2-0 at 14:53 in the third to give the Tips a two-goal cushion.
Everett netminder Carter Hart, the reigning WHL Goaltender of the Week, stopped all 16 shots en route to his second consecutive shutout and league-leading fourth overall. However, Kootenay goaltender Declan Hobbs was equally impressive as he finished with 39 saves.
It took the Tips until their fifth power play opportunity to finally get to Hobbs. Dewar’s shot from the left circle hit the post and ricocheted into the goal with an assist from Devon Skoleski at 16:20 in the second.
Hobbs had been nearly flawless up to that point. Everett’s Jake Christensen hit the post two minutes into the second period, though Hobbs saved 30 of Everett’s 31 shots through two periods as the Ice killed the Tips’ first four power play opportunities.
Kootenay’s best chance in the second came with a two-on-one opportunity that was turned away by Everett goaltender Carter Hart five minutes into the period.
Leedahl’s goal came from the left side of the crease with assists from Winkler and Remi Laurencelle late in the third period. Leedahl was a game-time decision to play as Spencer Gerth also took part in warm-ups before being scratched.
The Tips maintained their trend of starting strong as they created 18 shots in the first period to just seven for Kootenay. Everett was also the beneficiary of four power plays in the opening stanza, but the Ice killed each one thanks in no small part to the efforts of goaltender Hobbs.
The penalties grew fewer after the opening period as just two were called in the second period followed by one in the third.
Everett finished with a 41-16 shot advantage on the night. The Tips were the beneficiaries of six power play chances to two for the Ice.
Everett continues its road trip tonight as it plays the Lethbridge Hurricanes at 6.
Follow Silvertips writer Jesse Geleynse on Twitter
@jessegeleynse.
Silvertips 2, Ice 0
Everett 0 1 1 — 2
Kootenay 0 0 0 — 2
1st Period—No Scoring.Penalties—Fleury Ktn (cross checking), 0:35; Sutter Evt (tripping), 2:50; Lishchynsky Ktn (interference), 6:24; Lishchynsky Ktn (tripping), 14:24; Dymacek Ktn (elbowing), 19:17.
2nd Period—1, Everett, Winkler 2 (MacDonald, Skoleski), 16:20 (PP). Penalties—Skrumeda Evt (slashing), 10:44; Alfaro Ktn (high sticking), 14:50.
3rd Period—2, Everett, Leedahl 5 (Winkler, Laurencelle), 14:53 (PP). Penalties—Lishchynsky Ktn (boarding), 13:00.
Shots on Goal—Everett 18-13-10-41. Kootenay 7-5-4-16.
Power Play Opportunities—Everett 2/6; Kootenay 0/2.
Goalies—Everett, Hart 11-5-0-1 (16 shots-16 saves). Kootenay, Hobbs 0-4-1-0 (41 shots-39 saves).
A—1,885
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
