Scrappy Silvertips conquer Chiefs in OT
EVERETT – With only 18 players dressed for the game, the Everett Silvertips came from behind three times and then got the game-winning goal from Ivan Nikolishin in overtime to knock off the Spokane Chiefs 5-4 Saturday night at Comcast Arena. Their first win of the year against Spokane ended the Silvertips’ six-game losing skid and lifted them back into sixth place in the Western Conference standings.
Kohl Bauml and Josh Winquist led the way against the Chiefs with a goal and two assists each, while Patrick Bajkov completed the line with a goal and an assist of his own. Ivan Nikolishin netted a pair of goals and Matt Pufahl chipped in two assists in the victory. The Silvertips allowed only 16 shots in regulation time, finishing the night with a 30-18 shot advantage over Spokane.
Spokane opened the scoring seven minutes in as Colton Bobyk’s sharp-angle centering pass caromed past goaltender Austin Lotz and into the net. The Silvertips tied it when Kohl Bauml carried the puck into the Spokane zone and dropped a pass to Patrick Bajkov, who released a wrist shot into the top corner from the high slot. The Chiefs responded quickly with a goal from Markson Bechtold off a faceoff to re-take the lead 22 seconds later. Everett evened the score once again after the rebound of a Brayden Low shot kicked out to Ivan Nikolishin, who fired the puck into an open net to make it 2-2. Shots were 12-5 in favor of the ‘Tips after 20 minutes.
Goaltender Daniel Cotton started the second period in place of Lotz. Spokane took its third lead early in the frame on a powerplay goal from Bobyk that found the back of the net just as Cotton was run into by a Chief in front, knocking off his mask on the play. The Silvertips answered for a third time off the rush, as Bauml found Josh Winquist streaking down the left side, where he sent a low shot past Eric Williams’ right pad to put the score at 3-3. Everett then took its first lead of the game on the powerplay when Dawson Leedahl wrapped around the net and fed the puck in front to be banged in by Bauml. The Chiefs also opted to switch goaltenders after the goal, with Garret Hughson relieving Eric Williams.
The Silvertips held a 10-4 shot advantage in the third, but Spokane tied the game on their first shot over eight minutes into the period as Mitch Holmberg placed one inside the far post from along the boards. With the game tied at four, the Chiefs carried a powerplay into overtime and nearly converted as Bobyk rung the crossbar with a point shot. After successfully killing off the penalty, the ‘Tips found themselves on a powerplay of their own for the final two minutes of overtime. Josh Winquist would set up Ivan Nikolishin for a one-timer with 36 seconds left in OT to give Everett a 5-4 victory.
Daniel Cotton (8-3-4-0) turned away 11 of 13 in net 44 minutes of play after Austin Lotz (18-16-3-1) stopped 3 of 5 in the first period. Garrett Hughson (5-5-1-1) stopped 14 of 15 shots over 36 minutes, while Eric Williams stopped 11 of 15 through 29 minutes in goal for Spokane. The Silvertips went 2 for 6 on the powerplay and 4 for 5 on the penalty kill.
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The Silvertips hit the road for two more divisional games next week, visiting the Seattle Thunderbirds Tuesday night and the Portland Winterhawks Saturday. The ‘Tips will then return to their home ice to host the Chiefs again next Sunday, with the opening puck drop set for 4:05 pm at Comcast Arena.
Silvertips flex tickets and “Now & Later” packs for the 2013-14 WHL season are available now at the team office. Visit our website or call 425-252-5100 for more information. To keep up with all the latest team news, “like” the Everett Silvertips Hockey Club on Facebook or follow @WHLSilvertips on Twitter.
