WHL Everett Silvertips

This Week In Silvertips Hockey

Published on January 25, 2008 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Everett Silvertips News Release


Everett Leaves Prince George With Four Points

The Everett Silvertips' winning streak continued following a two-game sweep of the Prince George Cougars in northern British Columbia this week. Following a 6-0 victory on Tuesday night that saw Dan Gendur record six points and Leland Irving compile his 20th career WHL shutout, Everett prevailed 5-4 in a shootout Wednesday night as the winning streak - both overall and on the road - reached six games. Everett is now a season-high nine games above .500 at 29-20-0-2.

In one of the most impressive efforts of the season on Tuesday night, Everett was constantly buzzing around the Prince George net as they outshot the Cougars 45- 18, including a 23 shot performance in the third period. Gendur returned to his former stomping grounds with a two-goal, four-assist night along with a +5 rating while Irving made several key saves in the first period to keep Prince George from taking the lead. Clayton Bauer also chipped in with two goals of his own as he is yet to cool off from his torrid start in Everett. Showing off a vast advantage in speed and puck moving ability, the Silvertips controlled play from start to finish in a game that was all but over when goaltender Ian Curtis was pulled in favor of Real Cyr midway through the second period.

Thursday's game was nearly a complete 180 degree reversal of Wednesday night's game. In a close, tense and high-spirited affair, the Cougars erased two different deficits to tie the game with 42 seconds left after pulling Cyr for the extra attacker. Everett appeared heading to victory in regulation when Shane Harper netted his second of the game on a wristshot from the slot during a power play with 1:32 to play. Zach Hamill scored and added an assist, while Gendur provided three more assists for a nine-point road swing.

After a scoreless overtime, a scoreless shootout extended into the third round as Shayne Barrie made a key save on Corey Tyrell as well as a beautiful pad save on Alex Poulter's low wristshot that appeared to be heading into the lower right hand corner of the net. Gendur was the third shooter for Everett, and much like his performance all week long in his former home arena, he was able to wrist one low past Cyr to give the Silvertips the advantage. Parker Stanfield, who had a goal and an assist in regulation for Prince George, was unable to convert as Barrie made another quick pad save to preserve the victory as the rookie goaltender has now stopped five of six shooters in the shootout while winning his fifth consecutive start.

Riding their six-game winning streak into Key Arena, Everett faces off against their arch- nemesis, the Seattle Thunderbirds on Saturday evening. Looking for their first win against the defensively competent Thunderbirds this season, the Silvertips will rely on the league's hottest skater in Dan Gendur as well as a goaltender in Leland Irving whose twenty career shutouts ranks just one behind the all-time WHL leader in Bryan Bridges, a former Thunderbird. As always, the game can be heard live on North Sound 1380 ESPN Radio in Snohomish County as well as online at the WHL's website, www.whl.ca.

Mr. 100

It will go down in the books as a key win against a divisional rival in the heat of a playoff chase, and that's perfectly fine with Leland Irving. The polite, unassuming goaltender with the Everett Silvertips has more need for team accomplishments and league trophies than he does for personal milestones. Still, when learning about his feat following the 4-2 victory over the Spokane Chiefs on Saturday night at Comcast Arena, Irving couldn't help but crack a smile: he had just won his 100th career game, all with the Everett Silvertips.

And if this does in fact happen to be Irving's swan song with the Silvertips (as a 19 year old first round draft pick, he appears to be headed the professional route next season), one can only gawk at his impressive resume in Everett with amazement and respect. As arguably the most recognizable name and face of the Everett franchise, he has been among those most responsible for the symphony of cowbells and screams emanating from Comcast Arena on a typical mid-winter weekend.

And what a week it has been for the veteran netminder. Less than one week after recording his nineteenth career shutout in a 5-0 blanking of the Portland Winter Hawks on January 13th, he completed a week by going 2-0 against the first place Chiefs, stopping 61 of 64 shots and earning his 100th career victory on Saturday. Over his last four games, he has stopped 104 of 107 shots, good for a .972 save percentage over that stretch.

His success has rubbed off on Everett's #2 goaltender, the 18-year old Shayne Barrie, who in his rookie season has already posted a save percentage over .900 and a goals against average under three. In perhaps yet another illustration of a gift that keeps on giving, Irving's steady approach and laid back game time demeanor have transferred over to the equally cool and collected Barrie, who looks to follow in the extra-large footsteps that his predecessor constructed himself.

Penalty Kill Keys Silvertips' Resurgence

After arriving home from Prince George Thursday morning after an uneventful twelve-hour drive from the CN Centre, the Everett Silvertips are no longer carrying the baggage of a season full of "what ifs". Their tepid start to the season has been replaced by a scalding hot January in which the 'Tips have caught fire, winning ten of their last twelve, including both games against the first-place Spokane Chiefs last week as part of a six-game winning streak.

One of the keys of Everett's resurgence has been the always reliable penalty kill, which enters Wednesday night's action successful in its last 45 kills. Since Colton Yellow Horn of the Tri- City Americans scored on a 5-on-3 in a 3-2 win on January 9th, the Silvertips have gone three full weeks without allowing a goal on the penalty kill. Part of that stretch has been enhanced by several players who fought for ice time last season, Jesse Burt and Matt Ius.

"We may not get all the glory, but at the end of the day it's pretty rewarding keeping the puck out of your own net," Ius said.

And how they have been rewarded, time and time again. It is such a common occurrence in Everett to watch Ius go down low to block a shot, or to watch the pinball-like Burt hustle into the corners before coming away with a loose puck and clearing it the length of the ice. The penalty killers have been so key over the last month that even the 'Tips top scorers have taken a cue and have joined in on the successful penalty kill as well. Zach Hamill's ability to win faceoffs consistently has led to key faceoff wins on 5-on-3 disadvantages, and Dan Gendur's all around hockey smarts and complete hockey awareness led him to cap off his hat trick on December 31st with a shorthanded goal in a 5-3 victory over the Kamloops Blazers. Certainly, the success of the penalty kill has rubbed off onto the entire roster. There is even a palpable sense of pride in regards to performing on the penalty kill, as noted by head coach John Becanic.

"When there's a penalty they're up on the bench getting ready to jump over like they've been on the team for five years, and I love that," Becanic said. "I love that they want to start the penalty kill."

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 year, be prepared to learn even more about the sport of hockey as Coach B will hold a hockey workshop forum while hosting a question and answer session. This is the perfect time for all of the hockey-crazed ladies in Snohomish County to get inside information on this year's Silvertips team while meeting several of the players.

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.

4th Annual Everett Silvertips Scout Night

The Silvertips' final Scout Night of the season will be taking place on Saturday, February 2nd, featuring a rivalry matchup with the Vancouver Giants. For $16, scouts who sign up will receive a ticket, a voucher for a hot dog and soda, and a limited edition Scout Night patch! Seating is limited, and due to the popularity of our Scout Nights, reserving your space early is recommended.

For more information and reservations, please call Kevin Danford at (425) 209-2809.

Peter Mueller Bobblehead Night - January 29th

Make your plans to attend our game on Tuesday, January 29th against the Prince Albert Raiders, where the first 1,000 fans will receive a Peter Mueller bobblehead doll, sponsored by Abbey Carpet. In celebration of Peter's productive rookie season with the Phoenix Coyotes, this will be an exciting way for you to honor the first Silvertip to score a goal in the NHL. Our bobblehead distribution policies are as follows:

We are aware that the demand for the dolls may exceed the number of dolls available and the organization has tried to determine a way to distribute the dolls in a way that is fair for all of our loyal fans. Only 1,000 dolls of each player have been produced. Once the dolls have been distributed, they are gone.

*First 1,000 fans through the Main Gate (corner of Hewitt and Oakes Avenue) will receive a bobblehead doll ticket. The bearer of the ticket may exchange it for one bobblehead. There will be one line for bobblehead distribution. The line will form on Hewitt Ave just below the Comcast Arena at EEC Flag Pole and extend toward Broadway Ave. This will be the only line that will be allowed to form. There will be no line on Oakes Ave. If you do not want a bobblehead please use the South East Entrance for admittance.

*One certificate will be issued per person no matter how many game tickets a fan may possess.

*Certificate must be redeemed at the day of the game. A bobblehead doll distribution center will be located near the View Lounge. Fans must redeem the certificate at the designated location prior to the start of the game.

*Main gates open one hour prior to the game. Bobblehead doll tickets will not be issued at any other location in the building.

*The Club Lounge which opens 1.5 hours prior to the game opening will NOT have bobblehead doll tickets issued at their private entrance. The Wall St. entrance will NOT have bobblehead doll tickets issued.

*Each bobblehead doll is individually boxed and protected with Styrofoam. We request that fans wait until they get home to open their bobblehead doll to help keep the Comcast Arena at Everett Events Center clean.

*The Silvertips will not be holding any dolls back for replacement purposes.

Mr. Potato Head Night: February 20th

It's never too early to start thinking about the second Mr, Potato Head night of 2008. Thanks to our proud sponsors in Farmers Insurance, the first 1,000 fans entering Comcast Arena on Wednesday, February 20th for the game against the Spokane Chiefs will receive another limited edition Mr. Potato Head Silvertips figurine. This new doll will come in a white jersey and will feature detachable arms, legs, helmets, and even a fierce hockey face. Check www.everettsilvertips.com closer to the date for more information.

Hat Trick Lounge Sold Out

The popular Hat Trick Lounge, previously available for upcoming games against the Seattle Thunderbirds on February 16th and March 14th, has officially sold out. At this point, there are no plans to offer the Hat Trick Lounge for any further 2008 dates. Should that change, we will send out information in a "This Week In Silvertips" newsletter.

Saturday Night Specials

If you're thinking about attending a Silvertips game on a Saturday night this season, you're going to want to make your plans in advance as tickets are going fast.

Remaining Saturday night contests include:

February 2nd vs Vancouver Giants

February 9th vs Prince George Cougars

February 16th vs Seattle Thunderbirds

March 1st vs Portland Winter Hawks - Everett Aqua Sox

Only limited seats are available for these nights. For tickets, please call the Silvertips' front office at (425) 252-5100.

Check out the Everett Silvertips Statistics

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Western Hockey League Stories from January 25, 2008


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