WHL Everett Silvertips

Defending Champs Freeze out Silvertips

Published on November 4, 2011 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Everett Silvertips News Release


CRANBROOK, BC - The Everett Silvertips battled hard but came up short in a 4-2 loss to the defending WHL Champion Kootenay Ice Friday night at the Cranbrook Rec Plex. With their swing through the Central Division now complete, the Silvertips will return to the United States to face the Spokane Chiefs for the final stop on their nine-game, 17-day road trip Sunday at 6:00 pm.

Trent Lofthouse scored his first WHL goal for Everett and Tyler Maxwell added one as the visitors stayed close throughout the contest. The 'Tips were outshot just 37-31 in total, but surrendered two powerplay goals to the Ice in six shorthanded situations while scoring on one 1 of 4 powerplays themselves.

Everett started off the opening period with two solid penalty kills and generated a few scoring opportunities, but the game stayed scoreless until the final minutes of the first. The Ice drew ahead on a powerplay goal from Joey Antilla, who sent a long point shot through traffic and just inside the far post at 17:16. Kootenay increased its lead less than two minutes later when Dylen McKinley's shot from the top of the circle snuck over Kent Simpson's glove and into the top corner; putting the score at 2-0 after 20 minutes.

The Silvertips looked good in the second stanza, outshooting the Ice 13-8 and drawing within one on Trent Lofthouse' first career goal. Lofthouse stole the puck from a Kootenay defender in the offensive zone before cutting across the crease and beating Nathan Lieuwen at the 13-minute mark to get the 'Tips within one. Kent Simpson made a spectacular, diving save a few minutes later to preserve the score, and the Ice led 2-1 going into the third.

Josh Birkholz nearly tied the game in the opening minute of the final period, but Nathan Lieuwen made the save and then Kootenay scored on the ensuing odd-man rush as Erik Benoit made it 3-1 to take the momentum back. The Ice then tacked on another powerplay goal when Elgin Pearce scored on a rebound chance later in the period to extend the Kootenay lead. Everett battled back with a powerplay goal from Tyler Maxwell in the last four minutes, but got no closer in the 4-2 defeat.

Kent Simpson (4-9-0-2) finished the night with 33 saves in net, while Nathan Lieuwen (10-2-0-2) stopped 29 shots to earn the win for Kootenay.

With their run of six consecutive games in Canada complete, the Silvertips will now head back across the border and back into the Pacific Time Zone to conclude their longest road trip of the season Sunday in Spokane. Opening face-off between the 'Tips and Chiefs is set for 6:00 pm, with pre-game radio coverage starting at 5:30 Friday on Fox Sports 1380 AM.

Everett will then open a six-game homestand next weekend with back-to-back games against the Prince George Cougars at Comcast Arena. Group tickets and mini-game packages for the 2011-2012 regular season can be purchased in person at the team office inside at Comcast Arena or by phone at 425-252-5100. Single game tickets are on sale by phone (866-332-8449), online (comcastarenaeverett.com) or at the Comcast Arena box office.

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Western Hockey League Stories from November 4, 2011


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