‘Tips Gain Point in Shootout Loss to Americans
EVERETT – The Everett Silvertips couldn’t hold onto their early 2-0 lead, falling to the Tri-City Americans 4-3 in a shootout. Despite the loss, the ‘Tips gain a crucial point in the race to clinch a playoff spot and with a 34-16-3-2 record, moving to seven points ahead of Portland for first place in the U.S. Division.
Nikita Scherbak and Remi Laurencelle each had two points (1g/1a) on the night, assisting each other’s goals. Patrick Bajkov picked up the ‘Tips other goal with assists going to Carson Stadnyk and Graham Millar.
Everett got off to a great start in the first, scoring the game’s first goal on the powerplay before the Americans registered a shot on net. During a scramble in front of the Tri-City net, the Silvertips got off numerous shot attempts before Patrick Bajkov picked up a rebound and sent it to the top of the net. The Americans only shot on goal at the 12 minute mark of the first was a clearing attempt that made its way to goaltender Austin Lotz. On a rush up the ice late in the period, Nikita Scherbak found Remi Laurencelle, who scored to put the ‘Tips up by two.
After outshooting Tri-City 10-4 in the first period, both teams had scoring chances in a more evenly matched second frame. The Americans went on their first man-advantage late in the period for a good chance to cut the ‘Tips lead, but Everett shut the door to preserve their two goal advantage. With no scoring in the second, the score remained 2-0 heading into the final frame.
Everett held the lead early in the third, but two quick goals from Tri-City made is a tie game midway through the period. Shortly after the ‘Tips killed off a second penalty, Brendan O’Reilly scored to cut the Silvertips lead to one. Just 12 seconds later the Americans struck again after Lucas Nickles scored and tied the game at two. Tri-City moved ahead of the Silvertips on the shot clock as Everett tried to regain the momentum they carried in the first period. Everett was given a much needed boost after Nikita Scherbak danced around two defensemen for a highlight reel goal to make it 3-2 for the ‘Tips. The happiness was short lived as Beau McCue tied the game for the Americans to force overtime. Extra time solved nothing and Tri-City scored the only goal in the shootout to take a 4-3 victory. Final shots were 30-26 for the Americans.
Goaltender Austin Lotz (23-12-1-2) turned away 26 of 29 shots faced over 65 minutes in net for Everett. Eric Comrie (16-13-0-1) stopped 23 of 26 shots faced for the Americans. The Silvertips were 1 for 3 on the powerplay and denied Tri-City a goal on their two attempts.
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The Silvertips continue their homestand with two more games this weekend, hosting the Vancouver Giants Friday night at 7:35 and facing-off against the rival Seattle Thunderbirds Saturday at 7:05. Check out our Valentine’s Day ticket packages and dress up to join our “Classy Valentine’s Day” game night theme.
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