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Everett Silvertips

'Tips Build Early Lead, Withstand Hurricanes

February 22, 2015 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Everett Silvertips News Release


EVERETT - The Everett Silvertips scored four unanswered goals in the first period before the Lethbridge Hurricanes got the next three to keep the game tight in an eventual 5-4 Silvertips victory Sunday evening at XFINITY Arena. The 'Tips end their three-game skid to finish a three-in-three weekend and move to five points ahead of the Portland Winterhawks for first place in the U.S. Division.

Nikita Scherbak earned the game's first star after registering a goal and two assists in the first period alone. The 'Tips went 2 for 5 on the powerplay thanks to goals from Patrick Bajkov and Graham Millar. Dawson Leedahl and Noah Juulsen rounded out the scoring for the 'Tips, while Kohl Bauml added two assists.

The Silvertips got on the board 14 seconds into the game as Nikita Scherbak stole a loose puck from the point man and scored on a breakaway. That goal sparked the momentum for Everett, who went up by two midway through the frame as Scherbak stole a puck in the offensive zone and then Kohl Bauml set up Dawson Leedahl for a great between-the-legs finish in front. Lethbridge took back-to-back penalties to give Everett a 5-on-3 advantage, with Patrick Bajkov and Graham Millar scoring 23 seconds apart to give the 'Tips a 4-0 lead. The Hurricanes immediately came back with a goal from Jamal Watson seven seconds later, but the Silvertips took a 4-1 lead and 12-7 shot advantage into the dressing room.

The 'Tips started strong in the second period as well, but would surrender two powerplay goals themselves without finding the back of the net. Lethbridge was awarded a 5-on-3 powerplay, where Giorgio Estephan scored and Brayden Burke followed with another powerplay goal to suddenly put Everett's lead at one goal. After applying pressure in front of the Hurricanes net late in the period, the Silvertips were awarded a penalty shot when a Lethbridge player covered the puck with his hand in the goal crease. Nikita Scherbak took the shot for Everett, but was stopped on a blocker save by Stuart Skinner as the 'Tips held a 4-3 lead after 40 minutes.

The Silvertips got back on the board in the third when Noah Juulsen fired a rocket past Skinner from the blue line to put Everett back up by two. The 'Tips killed off a penalty following their goal, preserving their 5-3 lead through the midway point of the period. With tension high, Lethbridge came back once again as Johnny Wesley scored off an Everett turnover to get back within 5-4 at 12:32. Everett avoided any further drama in the final minutes to take the 5-4 victory. Final shots were 39-23 in favor of the 'Tips.

Goaltender Austin Lotz (24-13-1-3) turned away 19 of 23 shots for the Silvertips, while Stuart Skinner (12-16-1-3) stopped 34 of 39 shots faced in net for Lethbridge. The Hurricanes were 2 for 6 with the man-advantage.

The Silvertips are in Spokane Wednesday night to face the Chiefs at 7:05 pm before returning to Everett for a pair of games this weekend. Friday's game against the Calgary Hitmen is "Country Night" at XFINITY Arena featuring Seattle country/rock band Jones & Fischer, while Saturday's contest vs. Prince George is our first "Pajama Party" as voted by the fans for our Fans' Choice Promo night.

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Western Hockey League Stories from February 22, 2015


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