Shootout win at Tri-City ends road slide
KENNEWICK – Although a 41-22 advantage on the shot clock didn’t earn them a regulation win, the Everett Silvertips didn’t let a strong effort go to waste in a 3-2 shootout victory over the Tri-City Americans Saturday night at the Toyota Center. Their first road win in three tries at Tri-City this season also ended a ten-game road winless streak for the Silvertips, who reached 30 victories for the season.
Remi Laurencelle scored his first goal as a Silvertip in the second period before Matt Pufahl put Everett up 2-1 in the third. It took the shootout to decide this one however, with Josh Winquist and Patrick Bajkov scoring goals and Austin Lotz stopping two of three Tri-City shooters to clinch the victory and a second point for the visitors.
Everett started strong in the first 20 minutes with a 14-6 shot advantage, but no goals were scored. The ‘Tips killed off one Tri-City powerplay chance in the period and generated a few close calls, including Josh Winquist racing into the zone on a partial breakaway that was stopped by Eric Comrie and Ivan Nikolishin getting free in front before his shot was deflected out of play.
The Americans got on the board only 90 seconds into the second period when Austin Lotz made a blocker save on Beau McCue only to see the puck carom off Parker Bowles and into the net. The Silvertips tied it after another strange bounce just over a minute later however, as the rebound of a Noah Juulsen blast deflected high into the air and behind the net before Remi Laurencelle banked the puck off Comrie and in at the 2:39 mark. Everett had a lengthy two-man advantage late in the period and continued to hold a wide shot lead at 25-10 through 40 minutes, but the score remained tied at one heading into the third.
The offensive pressure continued for the Silvertips in the third period leading up to Matt Pufahl wristing a long point shot past traffic and into the top corner to give the ‘Tips a 2-1 edge at 6:07. Tri-City evened it back up six minutes later however, intercepting an Everett outlet feed to set up Bowles’ second goal of the game on a rebound in front of Austin Lotz. Shots were even at 11 in the third period and the deadlock continued through 60 and then 65 minutes after a scoreless overtime.
Winquist scored in the bottom of the first shootout round for the Silvertips. Brian Williams had just evened it in round two for the Ams, but Bajkov’s goal in reply put Everett right back on top. Lotz then stopped Bowles with a right pad in the third round to give the Silvertips a 3-2 win.
Austin Lotz (22-18-3-1) made 20 saves in regulation and overtime, while his counterpart Eric Comrie (16-23-2-2) turned aside 39 Everett shots at the other end. The Silvertips were 0 for 3 on the powerplay, but killed off the lone Tri-City advantage as well.
CLICK HERE for Box Score
The Silvertips will now return to their home ice to conclude a weekend set of three games in three days with a Sunday afternoon showdown against the Portland Winterhawks at 4:05 pm at Comcast Arena. The ‘Tips also play home games Wednesday against the Prince Albert Raiders and Friday as they face the Americans again for their third straight game in downtown Everett.
Silvertips flex packs and single game tickets for our remaining 2013-14 home games 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.
