GAME RECAP: Blazers top Silvertips in shootout, take 5-4 thriller
EVERETT, Wash. — The Everett Silvertips extended their point streak to 10 games but came up a buck short against the Kamloops Blazers, falling in the shootout for the second consecutive night.
Niko Huuhtanen opened the scoring at 11:56 in the first period, tipping a Ronan Seeley shot from the blueline to pick up his 26th goal of the season. Hunter Campbell would extend the lead early in the second period with a shorthanded tally, as Alex Swetlikoff fought through three Blazers behind the net to set Campbell up in front.
Ronan Seeley potted a 5-on-3 powerplay goal at 12:34 in the middle frame, wiring a wrist shot home for his 10th of the campaign.
Kamloops would respond with a powerplay goal of their own, as Fraser Minten capitalized on a feed in front. The Blazers would keep rolling into the final frame, as consecutive goals in the opening three minutes by Caeden Bankier and Luke Toporowski would knot the score at three. Logan Stankoven grabbed the lead for the Blazers at 10:10, converting on a turnover and wristing in his 28th goal of the season.
With the Silvertips trailing late in the third, a Reese Belton roughing penalty gifted Everett with a powerplay with 2:10 remaining. Jackson Berezowski, celebrating his 20th birthday, stuffed in his 32nd goal of the season to send the game to overtime.
With three-on-three proving fruitless, the Kamloops Blazers eventually bested the Tips in the shootout in four rounds, with Fraser Minten netting the winner.
Koen MacInnes stopped 29 of 33 in the loss.
The Silvertips will rematch the Kamloops Blazers on Friday at the Sandman Centre. They return home Saturday for a matchup with the Victoria Royals at 6:05 p.m. Tickets are available by clicking here.
