RECAP / One Short?
VICTORIA, British Columbia – Griffin Outhouse got in the way of 30 of 31 shots and the Everett Silvertips third rally fell short in a 2-1 defeat to the Victoria Royals in Game 4 of the WHL Playoffs’ first round, Wednesday at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre.
Friday’s Game 5 in downtown Everett will take place at 7:35 p.m. at XFINITY Arena, with tickets on sale at www.everettsilvertips.com/playoffs.
Patrick Bajkov broke through for the Silvertips on a third period power play while Carter Hart turned in an 18 save effort. The Silvertips outshot Victoria, 31-20 for the game.
Regan Nagy gave Victoria their first 1-0 lead of the series at 5:03 of the first period, swatting a puck from out of the air, flush, and to the back of the net from the right circle. The Silvertips, using a calculated and steady pace to turn momentum, built on their rally with several high quality chances through the first two periods.
Carter Hart helped sustain the rally with a save on Ryan Peckford from between the circles in the second period, but Dante Hannoun scored a critical goal with 44 seconds to play in the second period when he stashed a centering pass from between the hash marks for a 2-0 lead.
The Silvertips weathered an energized Victoria squad early in the third period and nearly grabbed their first goal on a Connor Dewar rebound, but the goal was overturned after contact by Sean Richards, pushed into Griffen Outhouse, was ruled incidental.
Vladimir Bobylev then took simultaneous penalties for cross-checking and checking to the head, opening the door for a Tips rally late in the game with a four-minute power play. Kevin Davis fed Bajkov at the right circle, who uncorked a snap shot past Outhouse with 3:55 to play in regulation and sliced the deficit to one goal.
The Silvertips came close to tying the game on the second power play and after pulling Carter Hart for a sixth attacker, but fell short in the rally as Victoria burned the clock in the final 10 seconds.
Notes: Silvertips scratches included Dawson Butt, Keith Anderson, Mark Liwiski, Riley Sutter, Devon Skoleski, Ethan Browne and Gianni Fairbrother … the Silvertips fell to 8-15 in Game 4 situations … Dominic Zwerger, who had an assist, owns 12 points in 14 lifetime playoff games against Victoria.
Silvertips season ticket or mini-plan packages are available at www.everettsilvertips.com/season or by calling (425) 252-5100.
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