Portland Sneaks by Everett with Late Goal
EVERETT, WA – Troy Rutkowski broke a 3-3 tie with 1:31 left in regulation and Josh Winquist was stopped on a penalty shot with 4.7 seconds remaining as the Portland Winterhawks escaped with a 4-3 win over the Everett Silvertips Friday night at Comcast Arena. The loss, paired with Victoria’s 3-1 win at Kelowna, drops the Silvertips back into eighth place in the Western Conference as the Silvertips prepare to meet the Royals again Saturday night in Everett.
The ‘Tips got goals from Jari Erricson, Reid Petryk and Josh Caron, who netted his first goal of the season to help Everett rally from 3-1 down in the second period to tie the game. A strong penalty killing performance kept the Winterhawks’ top-ranked powerplay scoreless on five opportunities, while the Silvertips scored once in four chances of their own.
Portland scored on its first shot to grab the early lead as Cam Reid snuck the puck between Austin Lotz’ pads on a partial breakaway just 1:02 into the game. Everett responded five minutes later as Zach McPhee set up Jari Erricson in the high slot, where Erricson then rifled a shot inside the near post to even the score at one. The Winterhawks regained the lead in the final minute of the first period however when the Chase De Leo backhanded a rebound over Lotz for a 2-1 lead after 20 minutes.
Ty Rattie increased Portland’s lead to 3-1 less than one minute into the second frame when he batted in a rebound off an initial shot by William Wrenn. The Silvertips began turning the momentum in their favor as the period continued and got back within one on Josh Caron’s first goal of the season. After a beautiful passing sequence in the Portland zone, Ryan Harrison dropped a pass to the top of the circle for Caron, who blasted a slap shot past Carruth for his first score as a Silvertip at 8:52. A powerplay goal just over two minutes later then tied the game at three when Reid Petryk ripped a shot inside the near post from atop the right circle.
The game stayed even well into the third period before Everett was offered a four-minute powerplay opportunity on a slashing double-minor to Portland, but the Winterhawks killed it off to keep the game tied. With 1:31 left in regulation, defenseman Troy Rutkowski charged on a puck along the right boards and sent shot just barely through Lotz and inside the post to give the ‘Hawks a 4-3 edge.
The ‘Tips created a chance in the closing seconds with an extra attacker on, catching Carruth behind the net and feeding a pass to Petryk in the high slot, but Portland intentionally knocked its own net off the marsh pegs to give Everett a penalty shot with 4.7 seconds remaining. Josh Winquist tried a backhand shot that was stopped by Carruth however and the Winterhawks held on to win. Austin Lotz (2-9-0-2) totaled 29 saves as the Silvertips were outshot 31-24, while Carruth (41-15-2-0) stopped 21 shots to earn the win.
The ‘Tips will now complete their seven-game homestand with their regular season home finale Saturday night against the Victoria Royals. Opening faceoff is set for 7:05 pm at Comcast Arena as Everett looks to jump back into seventh place in the Western Conference. The game is also our Fan Appreciation Night and will feature a post-game awards ceremony honoring the best of the 2011-12 Silvertips.
March 10, 2012
Everett Sports