TIPS WIN // Tips Extend Series Lead to 2-0
by Scott Blumenfeld
March 23, 2019
EVERETT, Wash. – The Everett Silvertips benefited from eight players recording a point or more on the scoresheet and took a 2-0 series lead as they exploded for three second-period goals to defeat the Tri-City Americans, 4-3, before 5,564 at A.O.T.W. Arena on Saturday night in WHL Playoff action.
Forward Martin Fasko-Rudas, Gage Goncalves, Robbie Holmes and defenseman Jake Christiansen all notched goals tonight, along with defenseman Artyom Minulin with two assists.
“I thought our guys did a good job of controlling their emotions, playing in check and a good job of staying right in the moment,” Head Coach Dennis Williams said.
UP NEXT: The Tips hit the road for game three, set for Wednesday, Mar. 27, at 7:05 at the Toyota Center (1380 AM / 95.3 FM / TuneIn App / WHL Live). Tickets for home playoff games remain on sale at www.everettsilvertips.com/playoffs.
ROUND 1: EVERETT vs TRI-CITY (Everett leads, 2-0)
GAME 1: EVERETT 6 – Tri-City 1
GAME 2: EVERETT 4 – Tri-City 3
GAME 3: at Tri-City Wednesday, Mar. 27 – 7:05pm (Toyota Center)
GAME 4: at Tri-City Thursday, Mar. 28 – 7:05pm (Toyota Center)
GAME 5: at EVERETT** Saturday, Mar. 30 – 7:05pm (Angel of the Winds Arena)
GAME 6: at Tri-City** Sunday, Mar. 31 – 5:05pm (Toyota Center)
GAME 7: at EVERETT** Tuesday, Apr. 2 – 7:05pm (Angel of the Winds Arena)
** If necessary
Tri-City earned a 1-0 lead at 10:51 in the first period with a power play goal scored by center Krystof Hrabik with assists from winger Parker AuCoin and defenseman Aaron Hyman.
Everett forward Martin Fasko-Rudas evened the score, 1-1, at 17:15 with a power play goal. Defenseman Jake Christiansen cycled the puck over to his blue line partner Artyom Minulin, whose shot from the point was redirected in by Fasko-Rudas.
The Silvertips held the edge on shots after one, 16-9.
Christiansen gave the Tips a 2-1 lead with a booming slap shot from the top of the left circle. Minulin found forward Bryce Kindopp breaking into the offensive zone, who dropped a pass to Christiansen who then delivered the shot.
Rookie forward Gage Goncalves extended the Silvertips lead to 3-1 only 19 seconds after Christiansen’s goal. Forward Reece Vitelli intercepted a pass behind the Tri-City net and connected with Goncalves who cut in from the slot to bang in the one-timer.
Everett winger Robbie Holmes made it 4-1 at 18:23. Kindopp led the puck into the zone and dropped it back to Patterson on the blue line, who delivered a sleek pass to Holmes crease-front.
The Silvertips continued to pump shots on net and hold a 27-17 shot advantage after two periods of play.
Tri-City forward Nolan Yaremko cut the Everett lead to 4-2 with a short-handed goal at 2:36 into the third. Yaremko made a centering pass from behind the net, which was deflected in off a Silvertip skate.
The Americans tacked on another goal to cut their final deficit to 4-3.
THREE STARS
- EVT – Jake Christiansen
- EVT – Dustin Wolf
- EVT – Artyom Minulin
FINAL STATS: Box score
SILVERTIPS LINE COMBOS
7 / FASKO-RUDAS 26 / VITELLI 19 / KINDOPP
90 / HOLMES 12 / PATTERSON 20 / ANDRUSIAK
11 / CULLEN 39 / GONCALVES 9 / BUTT
28 / MITCHELL 17 / BEREZOWSKI
DEFENSIVE PAIRINGS
24 / FAIRBROTHER 4 / WALKER
23 / CHRISTIANSEN 86 / KHAIRA
29 / WYLIE 5 / MINULIN
8 / SEELEY
GOALTENDERS
32 / WOLF
31 / PALAGA
NOTES: Silvertips scratches included Riley Sutter, Dylan Anderson, Justyn Gurney and Connor Dewar … This is the fifth postseason meeting between Everett and Tri-City … the Tips improved to 8-7 lifetime in Game 2 situations at home … it is the sixth time they have gone up 2-0 in a series.
Follow the Silvertips: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Snapchat (evt_silvertips)
