Jesse Heslop, Caden Zaplitny Net First WHL Goals in 7-2 Home Win over Chiefs
December 19, 2021 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Everett Silvertips News Release
EVERETT, Wash. - Jesse Heslop's hectic weekend ended in triumph, as the Silvertips' newest forward netted his first WHL goal- a game-winning goal, no less- in his debut at Angel of the Winds Arena Sunday night.
"Yesterday I got a text from my dad saying the Silvertips sent me a contract and wanted me to play," Heslop explained after a 7-2 win over the Spokane Chiefs. "I texted him back and said, 'I definitely want to,' got the contract signed and got here a couple hours before gametime."
Heslop, just 15-years-old as a third-round pick in the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft 10 days prior, is the first player from the '21 Bantam Draft Class to score in the league.
Spokane struck first in the first period, but Ryan Hofer quickly evened up the score with a wrist shot on the rush. Late in the first, Alex Swetlikoff gave the Tips a 2-1 lead by capping off a tic-tac-toe passing play on the man advantage.
Though the Chiefs would knot the score early in the second, Heslop would break the tie by banging home a rebound in front of the Spokane net. Everett would not look back, as within minutes Swetlikoff would net his second of the game followed by a tally from Jacob Wright.
Wright netted his second of the game on the powerplay in the third period, capitalizing on a back-door feed from Swetlikoff. Rookie Caden Zaplitny would finish the scoring flurry with his first career WHL goal, slipping a shot past Spokane goaltender Manny Panghli to secure a 7-2 Silvertips win.
"I just saw Roest with the puck going to the net," Zaplitny said. "I got in front of the net and had an open net."
Logan Greenough also made his WHL debut Sunday night for the Silvertips, finishing as a +3 with two shots on goal.
COMING UP:
CHRISTMAS BREAK: The Silvertips are back in action after Christmas break on Dec. 28 and 29 in Prince George. They return home New Year's Day to host the Portland Winterhawks.
Western Hockey League Stories from December 19, 2021
- Jesse Heslop, Caden Zaplitny Net First WHL Goals in 7-2 Home Win over Chiefs - Everett Silvertips
- Chiefs Fall 7-2 to Division-Leading Silvertips to Close First Half - Spokane Chiefs
- Rebels Pull out Overtime Victory on the Strength of Ungar's Goaltending, Timely Penalty Kills - Red Deer Rebels
- Hitmen Fall to Rebels in Overtime - Calgary Hitmen
- Tri-City Plays Final Game Before Christmas Break - Tri-City Americans
- Chiefs Close out First Half on Road against Everett Silvertips - Spokane Chiefs
- Silvertips Ink Third-Round Pick Jesse Heslop to Standard Player Agreement - Everett Silvertips
- Americans Take 6-5 Victory in Roller Coaster Game against Royals - Tri-City Americans
- Hanas, Stefan Combine for Must-Watch Goal in 4-1 Victory - Portland Winterhawks
- T-Birds Fall in Everett - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Cougars See Streak End at Vancouver - Prince George Cougars
- Royals Lose to Americans in High-Scoring Affair - Victoria Royals
- Giants Return to Win Column After a 3-1 Triumph over PG - Vancouver Giants
- ICE Fall 4-2 to Brandon - Winnipeg Ice
- Wheat Kings Win in Winnipeg - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Broncos Comeback Falls Just Short in Edmonton - Swift Current Broncos
- Chiefs' Offense Stumbles in 4-1 Loss to Portland - Spokane Chiefs
- Canes Sneak by Tabbies 5-3 - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Shorthanded Silvertips Power Past Thunderbirds in 4-1 Home Win - Everett Silvertips
- Volotovskii Sends Bears Flying, Raiders Top Blades 4-1 - Saskatoon Blades
- Poor Second Period Leads to Defeat vs. Warriors - Regina Pats
- Warriors Head into Break with a Win over Regina - Moose Jaw Warriors
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