WHL Everett Silvertips

Royals Slip Past Silvertips in Final Minute

Published on January 1, 2014 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Everett Silvertips News Release


EVERETT - The Everett Silvertips were 35 seconds away from earning at least one point and a chance at victory on New Year's Eve when the Victoria Royals scored the winning powerplay goal in a 3-2 victory over Everett Tuesday night at Comcast Arena. After dropping their first meeting against the Royals this year, the 'Tips will look to even the season series on New Year's Day when the teams meet for the second straight day in Victoria.

16-year-old rookie forward and Vancouver Island native Patrick Bajkov scored his first career WHL goal to even the score at two in the third period. Forward Logan Aasman tallied his first goal of the season and Cole MacDonald chipped in two assists from the blue line, while Dawson Leedahl extended his point streak to four games with an assist on Bajkov's score. The Silvertips scored twice on four powerplay opportunities and the Royals went 2 for 5.

The Silvertips outshot the Royals 13-5 in the first, but found themselves down on the scoreboard. Austin Lotz made a spectacular glove save during the game's first powerplay, diving across the net to deny a Victoria powerplay goal. Unfortunately the Royals scored a few seconds later on the same powerplay when Taylor Crunk wristed in a shot along the near post after a Logan Fisher faceoff win, making it 1-0 at 14:42 of the opening stanza.

Everett tied it at one on a man-advantage of its own early in the second period, with the rebound of Cole MacDonald's point shot fluttering into the air before being batted into the net by Logan Aasman. With less than three minutes to go in the frame however, Austin Carroll found Steven Hodges alone in front for a backhand shot that snuck past Lotz to give the visitors a 2-1 lead. Everett outshot the Royals by a 12-8 margin in the second, with shots 25-13 in favor of the 'Tips through two periods.

The Silvertips evened the score again on their third powerplay of the night after another MacDonald shot deflected into the left circle to Patrick Bajkov, who fired the puck into an open net for his first career goal at 6:56. With five minutes left in the third, Victoria's Austin Carroll snuck behind the Everett defense and received a breakaway pass, but Lotz snagged the shot with his glove to keep the game tied at two. Just when it looked like the game might be heading to overtime, the Royals were awarded a final powerplay with 1:15 remaining and got the game-winner from Ben Walker during a scramble in front on their way to the one-goal victory.

Goaltender Austin Lotz (16-10-1-0) stopped 18 shots for Everett, which outshot Victoria 34-21. The Royals' Patrik Polivka (17-9-0-1) turned away 32 'Tips shots for the victory. The Silvertips scored twice on four power-play opportunities while the Royals went 2 for 5.

The Silvertips face the Royals again on New Year's Day as they open 2014 with the second game of this week's home-and-home set Wednesday afternoon at 3:05 at Victoria's Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre. Pregame broadcast coverage starts at 2:30 pm on Fox Sports 1380 AM. The 'Tips then visit Spokane on Saturday before returning home against the Portland Winterhawks on Wednesday, January 8.

Silvertips mini-game plans and six-game packs for the 2013-14 WHL season are available now at the team office. Visit www.EverettSilvertips.com or call 425-252-5100 for more information. To keep up with all the latest team news, "like" us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

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Western Hockey League Stories from January 1, 2014


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