RECAP / Power Hitters
EVERETT, Wash. – Dominic Zwerger tied a career high with a four point game and the Everett Silvertips tied a franchise record with five power play goals, cruising past the Calgary Hitmen in a 6-1 victory at XFINITY Arena in WHL action on Tuesday night.
Extending their lead to five points over Tri-City for first place in the U.S. Division, the Silvertips extended a streak to 6-0-3 in the last nine games while Patrick Bajkov and Sean Richards each enjoyed three point games.
Carter Hart, appearing in net for the 10th time in the last 11 games, improved to 11-2-2 with 27 saves.
The game’s narrative included an ugly twist after captain Noah Juulsen was shook up on a hit from behind from Taylor Sanheim, ejected for a checking from behind penalty (five minutes). The Tips took full advantage with four power play goals in the major power play.
Zwerger buried his first goal of the game just one second left in the period, off a slick feed by Kevin Davis – at the blueline – for a 1-0 lead.
At the 3:05 mark of the second period, Juulsen’s return to the ice boosted the Tips to three more power play goals for a 4-0 lead. Zwerger began the run and took Patrick Bajkov’s cross-ice feed, burying a hesitation wrist shot for a two goal edge.
Richards and Lucas Skrumeda exchanged to feed Eetu Tuulola in his wheelhouse, who buried a one timer from the left circle for a 3-0 lead at 3:40.
The Tips capped the flurry (three goals in 1:24) for their 4-0 lead after Zwerger missed a hat trick bid. Bajkov fed Davis at center point, who hammered another one timer past Cody Porter at 4:29. Matteo Gennaro got the Hitmen on the board, finishing a feed at the net at 15:04 for a 4-1 deficit.
Calgary would inch no closer, and the Tips closed out the game on back to back goals in the third period. Sean Richards’s rocket snapper deflected off Bajkov en route to the net just 1:02 in for a 5-1 lead, and Richards cleaned up a rebound in the crease after Kyle Porter stopped Eetu Tuulola’s bid from the right circle at 7:07.
Porter allowed six goals on 34 shots and left the crease after Richards’ goal, replaced by Kyle Dumba (4 saves).
SILVERTIPS LINE COMBOS
96 / ZWERGER 17 / FONTEYNE 8 / BAJKOV
15/ RICHARDS 28 / SKOLESKI 82/ TUULOLA
11 / CENTAZZO 43/ DEWAR 33 / KING
18/ HEIN 14 / SUTTER 44 / GERTH
DEFENSIVE PAIRINGS
24 / SKRUMEDA 3 / JUULSEN
23 / CHRISTIANSEN 38 / DAVIS
29 / WYLIE 5 / ONYEBUCHI
NOTES: Silvertips scratches included Ian Walker, Bryce Kindopp, Graham Millar, Mackenzie Dwyer, and Brett Kemp … the Silvertips improved their lifetime record against Calgary 7-3-4 on the season … Zwerger’s last four point game came last season against the Silvertips when he collected a hat trick and added an assist … Bajkov extended his scoring streak to six consecutive games, earning 12 points in that span … Zwerger has 10 points in the last six games … the Silvertips began a stretch of playing in eight of the next nine games at home.
The Silvertips return to play tomorrow, visiting the Kamloops Blazers at 7:00 p.m. (Fox Sports 1380 / WHL Live / Tips App). Silvertips season ticket or mini-plan packages are available at www.everettsilvertips.com/season or by calling (425) 252-5100.
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