Heemskerk's 31 Saves Blanks Portland
Published on February 1, 2009 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Everett Silvertips News Release
Everett, WA - The Everett Silvertips stopped an eight game skid Saturday night visiting the Portland Winter Hawks for a 5-0 win. Thomas Heemskerk made 31 saves to earn the night's first star. The win would be Heemskerk's second career WHL shutout, with his last shutout coming on November 5th, 2007 against Portland. Zack Dailey had a three point night adding one goal and two assists to his resume. Shane Harper also tallied three points, (2G, 1A), giving the forward 49 points on the year. WHL leading rookie scorer Kellan Tochkin added two assists to push his league leading total to 55 points. Dan Iwanski had two assists on the night.
This brings the 'Tips record to 22-22-6-1 with 51 points in 51 games played taking them to sixth place in the Western Conference. Everett stands four points behind fifth place Kamloops Blazers and ten points behind fourth place Kelowna Rockets. The Silvertips are now 2-6-1-1 in their last 10 games. The Silvertips have three days rest before heading to Kamloops to take on the Blazers Wednesday night.
23 Seconds was all it took for Everett to make a statement against Portland. In the Silvertips first rush of the game Iwanski patiently waited before taking a shot from the right faceoff dot. Kurtis Mucha made the save, but the rebound popped into the middle of the slot where Harper wristed it home for a 1-0 lead.
A terrific breakout feed from Harper to Dailey would lead to the Silvertips second goal. The feed sprung Dailey loose for a partial breakaway down the left wing where Dailey snapped the puck past Mucha's between his glove and far post just 18 seconds in to the second period. Everett would use the power play to grab their third goal of the night. Dailey fed Harper behind the net for a one timer to beat Mucha at 6:48 of the second giving Everett the 3-0 lead. The Silvertips fourth goal started on a wide Paul Sohor point shot that got redirected past Mucha on the doorstep by Byron Froese at 10:45. Despite having a 4-0 lead Portland outshot Everett 23-15 through two periods.
Tyler Maxwell would give Everett their fifth goal after a great cross-crease feed from Froese. Maxwell would corral the puck with his skate before flipping it past Mucha to lead the Silvertips to a 5-0 win against Portland.
The Silvertips come back to Comcast Arena this Saturday, February 7th to take on Kyle Beach and the Lethbridge Hurricanes at 7:05! Tickets are on sale now at the new everettsilvertips.com and at the Comcast Arena Box Office! For ticket information, including season seats and ticket packages, please call the Silvertips' front office at (425) 252-5100.
As always, radio coverage of Silvertips hockey will be provided by North Sound 1380 KRKO, while highlights of audio broadcast, video packages and relevant multimedia will be provided by the Western Hockey League's website, www.whl.ca.
Western Hockey League Stories from February 1, 2009
- Wheat Kings Work OT to Beat Calgary - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Heemskerk's 31 Saves Blanks Portland - Everett Silvertips
- Tri-City Blanks Bruins 6-0; Guarantees 6th Straight Playoff Appearance - Tri-City Americans
- Spokane Runs Streak to 11 - Spokane Chiefs
- Hitmen rally from 5-2 deficit to force OT - Calgary Hitmen
- Calvin Pickard makes 35 saves in 2-1 overtime victory over Kelowna - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Oil Kings Shut Out Regina In Front Of Record Setting Crowd - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Blazers prevail over Tigers - Kamloops Blazers
- Giants Sweep Cougars - Vancouver Giants
- Winter Hawks Outshoot Everett, But Fall 5-0 - Portland Winterhawks
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