WHL Everett Silvertips

Everett Opens Playoffs Victoriously

Published on March 24, 2007 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Everett Silvertips News Release


Everett, Wash. - The Everett Silvertips defeated the Spokane Chiefs 4-2 on Friday night, March 23rd, to open up their 2007 playoffs in front of 5,902 fans inside of the Everett Events Center. Moises Gutierrez scored two goals and an assist while Peter Mueller had three assists himself. Jason Fransoo also helped the cause with a pair of assists as well. With the win the Silvertips take the initial lead in the playoff series 1-0.

It certainly didn't take long at all for Everett to get on the board. On the first shift of the game the 'Tips were able to get the puck deep into the Spokane zone. Dan Gendur engaged in a battle in the left corner and was able to chip the puck in behind the net. Kyle Beach got to it first and sent a backhanded pass out into the slot in which Zach Hamill was streaking into the zone. Hamill whizzed a low shot along the ice passed the left pad of Chiefs goaltender Dustin Tokarski just 15 seconds in.

Everett had several chances to lengthen their lead throughout the remainder of the period but they could not convert. First, a goal was waved off after the puck was struck with a high-stick and then two short handed opportunities were unsuccessful; Gutierrez on a break away and Mueller and Hamill on a 2-on-1. However, the Silvertips were able to get another early goal in the second period to begin the process of building on their lead.

Going onto a power play just 38 seconds into the period, Gutierrez scored his first of the game at the 1:14 mark. Mueller got the puck to Gutierrez who was down low in the Spokane zone. Gutierrez then worked his way across the crease before softly backhanding the puck along the ice by a sprawled out Tokarski. Fransoo was credited with the secondary assist. Then, just prior to the period's halfway point, Zack Dailey would convert on what was a fantastic play all around.

Gutierrez initiated the events while at the his own blue-line. He passed the puck between his legs and behind him to Mueller who was beginning to skate up the right wing. Across the ice from Mueller was Dailey and the two headed into the Chiefs zone. Mueller arrived at the right circle and got the Spokane defense and Tokarski to focus on him. That left Dailey open to execute a backhanded deflection into the net from a Mueller pass at 8:52.

Gutierrez would then round out Everett's scoring just before the end of the 20 minutes. Once again, he was down low in the Chiefs zone and got Tokarski to go down enabling him to reach out and sweep the puck into the net at 17:08. Fransoo and Mueller picked up the assists. The Silvertips would then have to focus more on their defense once things shifted over to the third period.

The trend of early goals continued when Drayson Bowman was the first Spokane player to beat Silvertips goalie Leland Irving. The goal came on a power play just 44 seconds in. Then the Chiefs gave themselves some life at the 8:32 mark when Adam Hobson scored an unassisted 4-on-4 goal. But the Silvertips didn't break and stood strong even when Spokane pulled Tokarski for the extra skater with nearly two full minutes remaining.

Game two of the series will played out tomorrow night, March 24th, again at the Everett Events Center. The puck is scheduled to drop between the Chiefs and Silvertips at 7:05 p.m.

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Western Hockey League Stories from March 24, 2007


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