WHL Everett Silvertips

Vancouver Blanks Everett, 3-0

Published on March 1, 2009 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Everett Silvertips News Release


Everett, WA - In a strong physical performance Saturday night the Everett Silvertips played a hard 60 minutes of hockey despite falling to the Vancouver Giants 3-0. Thomas Heemskerk took home Saturday night's second star in a 48 save outing, keeping Everett within striking distance all game. Jamie Tucker made 24 saves for the victory. Tucker's shutout was his third against Everett this season, as Vancouver has blanked the Silvertips four times this season.

This brings the 'Tips record to 25-31-7-2 with 59 points in 65 games played taking them to seventh place in the Western Conference, standing seven points behind the Kamloops Blazers. Silvertips are now 3-7-0-0 in their last 10 games. The Silvertips go right back to action Sunday night, March 1st heading down I-5 for a match-up against the rival Seattle Thunderbirds in Kent at 5:05!

Vancouver came out strong to start the game Saturday night, creating nine shots in the first nine minutes of the game. The Giants created good scoring opportunities, including a Craig Cunningham breakaway midway through the period. Cunningham tried going to the backhand, but Heemskerk came up with a spectacular split-legged save to keep the game tied at zero. Vancouver kept the pressure on which led to their first goal of the night at 15 minutes and 33 seconds. Alex Rodgers looped hard around the back of Everett's net feeding the puck through the crease to an open Andrej Kudrna who beat a diving Heemskerk backdoor for a 1-0 lead. Despite 20 shots on goal in the first period, solid goaltending by Heemskerk kept the score close.

The Giants picked up where they left off in the first period, controlling the majority of the play in Everett's zone. Everett held tough though keeping the Giants at bay for most of the period. Vancouver struck at 13:55 on the power play, after a Kellan Tochkin tripping penalty. J.T. Barnett found a wide open Garry Nunn in front of the crease who had time to bury the puck top shelf over Heemskerk's right shoulder for a Vancouver 2-0 lead. One minute and 22 seconds later the Giants struck again after Brendan Gallagher made a great pass from the side boards to a very wide open Casey Pierro-Zabotel. Zabotel stick handled before creating a small opening to score five-hole at 15:17 and increase the Giants lead to 3-0 after 40 minutes of hockey.

After an evenly played 10 minutes of the third period a delay of game was caused as Taylor Ellington checked James Wright hard enough to break the plexi-glass in Everetts defensive zone and cause a short delay. Vancouver proved to hold on outshooting Everett 18-11 in the third period and securing a 3-0 victory Saturday night.

The Silvertips come back to Comcast Arena this Saturday, March 14th to take on the Chilliwack Bruins at 7:05! March 14th marks fan appreciation night and Everett's final home game before the 2009 WHL playoffs begin! 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.

Check out the Everett Silvertips Statistics

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Western Hockey League Stories from March 1, 2009


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