WHL Everett Silvertips

This Week In Silvertips Hockey

Published on January 8, 2008 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Everett Silvertips News Release


Everett Completes Thrilling Comeback at Tri- City

Playing in their third game in three nights at facing one of the top WHL teams on the road in a hostile environment, it would have been easy for the Silvertips to cash in their weekend and prepare anew for the Americans' return visit to Everett on Wednesday. Not so fast, my friend. With Kyle Beach providing a huge lift and captain Jonathan Harty practically willing the team back into the game, the 'Tips rode the hot hand of goaltender Shayne Barrie and stormed back to defeat Tri-City 4-3 in a shootout Sunday night at the Toyota Center after erasing a 3-1 deficit to start the third period. Even though the Americans have been an excellent success story this season as they look to capture their first-ever divisional title, Everett has played some of their best hockey against the up-tempo club, winning four of the seven meetings thus far.

Though the game had a bit of a sloppy feel to it as both teams were playing their third game in three nights, Tri-City was still able to find the back of the net twice in the first period, racing out to a 2-0 lead as Everett had difficulty sustaining much pressure in the offensive zone. To kick start the comeback, Everett turned to Kyle Beach as they got on the board midway through the second period.

Intercepting a pass on the left wing boards, Beach drove towards Tri-City goalie Chet Pickard but did not have much of an angle to shoot from, while two American defensemen shut down the passing lanes and prevented Kyle from centering the puck to an open target. Instead, he faked a shot from the left circle to deke Pickard, and then inserted the puck between the netminder's pads to bring Everett within one.

That one-goal deficit proved ephemeral, however, as Kruise Reddick lit the lamp just under three minutes later as the always offensive-minded Americans were once again able to stretch their lead to two goals.

Trailing 3-1 heading into the third, it was apparent right off the drop of the puck at center ice that the Silvertips had fresher legs than the Americans. Though the shots on goal were even at eight between the two teams, it was the Silvertips that came away with the better scoring opportunities, and at the 4:12 mark, Vitaly Karamnov won a faceoff cleanly to rightwing Lukas Vartovnik, and his wristshot from inside the right circle snuck just inside the post to beat Pickard as the 'Tips found themselves down by just one goal with plenty of time and momentum.

Colton Yellow Horn was called for a slash at the 17:01 mark of the third period, and with time dwindling and a crucial power play about to begin, Head Coach John Becanic relied on Harty, Everett's team captain, at the outset of the man advantage. With the puck at the right point early on in the power play, Harty showed good patience in skating towards the net and just at the top of the right circle unleashed a terrific wristshot that beat Pickard stickside, just underneath the crossbar and inside the far goal post to tie the game at three. Everett had several chances in the final two minutes including an opportunity by Karamnov on the doorstep, but the talented Pickard found ways to deflect them all.

The overtime frame was extremely wide open, with both teams generating excellent opportunities in a back and forth extra session. First, it was Zach Hamill feeding Beach to try and set up a one-timer for the game winner, as Beach had plenty of open net to work with. With a defender charging him hard from behind and getting his stick around Kyle's midsection, a potential hooking call did not generate a whistle as Beach fell to the ice and the Americans immediately took the puck in the other direction. Yellow Horn had the best opportunity in overtime as he took a puck near the Everett goal line, walked out in front and tried to wrist one of his signature wristshots past the rookie Everett goalie, though Barrie stuck his pad out and made perhaps the biggest save he has made in a Silvertips uniform. On the same rush, Jason Reese also had an opportunity to put the game away, though Barrie stood tall and denied all five Tri- City shots in overtime and finished with 33 saves on 36 shots prior to the shootout.

Everett entered the shootout 0-2 in such situations, while Tri-City was 2-0. Nothing much was decided after the first shooters, as both Reese and Clayton Bauer were denied, putting the pressure on the second round shooters. Yellow Horn, arguably the top twenty-year old in the league this year and the possessor of a 22- game scoring streak that had ended the night before in a 3-0 loss at home to Spokane, came up with a nifty deke and buried a snapshot past Barrie.

And then came Jonathan Harty. In just his second career attempt he was relied upon to extend the tie into the final round, and he did just that, unleashing a low snap shot pas Pickard, as if he took it upon himself to will the team to victory.

Johnny Lazo followed for Tri-City, and although he had already scored on a shorthanded breakaway in the first period, he never seemed to be able to accelerate to the full speed he is capable of, and fired his shot off Barrie's blocker as Everett had the chance to put away the game with one shot. Enter, Kyle Beach.

For an entire game to rest on whether or not Beach could convert on a breakaway, all knowledgable hockey fans in the Toyota Center would have liked the Silvertips' odds. With one of the fiercest wristshots in the circuit and a flair for the dramatic, Beach's ability to convert in a shootout had not yet been manifested in WHL play as he was 0-5 in his WHL career entering Sunday's game. With the entire crowd on its feet and showering the seventeen-year old with derisive comments, the phenom calmly skated down the left side of the ice and banked a snapshot gloveside off the far post and into the back of the net, generating a wild celebration on the ice as the dejected fans headed up the stairs and towards the exits.

The 'Tips won't have long to pat themselves on the back following such an impressive comeback as the Americans finish up the home-and-home series with a game in Everett on Wednesday, January 9th. Everett continues to give the top teams in the U.S. Division a hard time, as they improved to 5-4 this season against the Spokane Chiefs and Americans. The schedule won't get any easier, as the next two weeks feature games against the Americans, Thunderbirds, and two against the Chiefs in a crucial time to pick up points in the home stretch of the 2007-08 season.

Meet Vitaly Karamnov at Sporty's Tonight

Join Vitaly Karamnov and host Jon Rosen on the Silvertips Radio Show tonight at 6 pm at Sporty's Beef and Brew in Everett! The two will be chatting about the 'Tips thrilling comeback victory in a shootout at Tri-City Sunday night, as well as the fundamental and cultural adjustments Vitaly has made since moving to Everett. It's the first time a European-born player will have attended the radio show this year, and it's a perfect opportunity for fans to get to know this talented Silvertips rookie who has impressed his teammates and the fans with his stickhandling finesse and offensive awareness. To chat with Vitaly and get some autographs, make sure to head to Sporty's Beef and Brew, located at 6503 Evergreen Way in Everett!

The Silvertips Radio Show is part of Taco Tuesdays with the 'Tips! Live at Sporty's Beef and Brew from 6-7 on Tuesdays - come check it out!

Mr. Potato Head Night - January 9th

Make your plans to attend our game on Wednesday, January 9th against the Tri-City Americans, where the first 1,000 fans will receive a Mr. Potato Head Silvertips Doll, sponsored by Farmer's Insurance. The doll will be wearing a green 'Tips jersey and will make an excellent addition to your Silvertips memorabilia collection. And don't forget our Peter Mueller Bobblehead Night on January 29th against the Prince Albert Raiders! More information to follow.

Silvertips Make Noise for Hunger

The Everett Silvertips will be teaming up with Top Food and Drug and Haggen Food and Pharmacy to assist Snohomish County's disadvantaged residents while providing an excellent game night atmosphere for the Friday, January 11th home game against the Seattle Thunderbirds.

Between now and the eleventh, Everett fans are encouraged to stop by participating Top Food and Drug or Haggen Food and Pharmacy and inquire about the special Silvertips display. There, fans will be able to pick up boxes of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese, which they should bring to Comcast Arena for the game against the Thunderbirds next Friday night. Although crowds at Silvertips games are always raucous, the 'Tips are encouraging fans to "rattle" the Thunderbirds by using the Macaroni and Cheese boxes as a noisemaker. After the game, the Tips will donate all of the Kraft Mac and Cheese to area food banks, while everyone who brings a box will be entered to win great Silvertips prizes.

Look for the special Silvertips Kraft Macaroni and Cheese Noisemaker display at local area Top Food and Drugs or any Haggen Food and Pharmacies.

Together, the Everett Silvertips along with Top Food and Drug and Haggen Food and Pharmacy are making noise for hunger, and we hope you can participate!

In conjunction with this event, all members of the Silvertips will be spread around Snohomish County at Top and Haggen Food Stores on Thursday, January 10th to hand out boxes of Macaroni and Cheese. More information on this event will be coming over the next several days, so be sure to check back to www.everettsilvertips.com to find out where your favorite Silvertips will be handing out food!

For further information, please contact Zoran Rajcic at (425) 609-2802.

Hat Trick Lounge: Beat Seattle!

If you missed out the first time then here are two more chances to enjoy a game from the Hat Trick Lounge. Join us for an all you can eat buffet and unlimited drinks (including beer and wine) all while watching the 'Tips battle their closest rivals, the Seattle Thunderbirds.

Seats are limited for both the Saturday, February 16th game (7:05 pm) and the Friday, March 14th game (7:35 pm).

For only $50.00 you get all this and more:

Served from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm *Unlimited Beverages (Beer and Wine included) *Angus Beef Hamburgers *Jumbo Hot Dogs *Assorted Soft drinks

Served All Game *Potato/Macaroni Salad *Popcorn *Potato Chips *Fresh Baked Cookies

*A game ticket for your seat in the Crows nest party suite above section 210 *A program and Game day lineup *Voucher for one free chuck-a-puck *Discount Coupon for team store *-Buy one get one free coupon for a future game ticket

Please note that space is limited and only 60 tickets are available!

Contact Devon Wold at 425 609-2804 with any questions or to order your tickets!

Hockey In Heels 2008: Tuesday, February 12th

Hey, Ladies!

Want to improve your overall hockey acumen while chatting with the players and coming away with a free lower level ticket? You'll want to attend our annual Hockey In Heels evening, featuring chats with Coach Becanic as he breaks down particular aspects of the game we know and love. Enjoy jokes and stories with Coach B and several of the players as the Silvertips continue to raise awareness of the game in this hockey-mad city.

This event has a limited amount of spots and will fill up. Each person that attends will receive a gift bag including a voucher for a free lower level ticket, and will be entered to win fabulous door prizes.

The event will be held at the Holiday Inn Downtown Everett at 6 pm on February 12th.

For questions, or to reserve your spot, please call Devon at (425) 609-2804.

Check out the Everett Silvertips Statistics

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Western Hockey League Stories from January 8, 2008


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