DUBNetwork Game of the Night: Everett Silvertips (24-7-2-0) @ Kamloops Blazers (22-9-2-1)
It’s a clash of division leaders as the Silvertips traveled overnight to Kamloops to start a six-game road swing. The team will head to Alberta for two games, then to Prince George for a double-dip before heading to Seattle to close out their road trip.
The Blazers, on the other hand, are beginning a five-game homestand. They’ll face the Silvertips, then follow it up with four games against BC Division rivals.
Speaking of the Blazers, they have now won four straight games, following last night’s 4-0 win over the Memorial Cup host Kelowna Rockets. The win put them eight points clear of said Rockets, although Kelowna does have a game in hand.
In the US Division, the Everett Silvertips are tied with the Portland Winterhawks for the top spot in the Western Conference. Both teams have 50 points. The Silvertips have not lost two games in a row all season and are coming off a surprising 4-3 loss to the Prince George Cougars on home ice last night.
Everett leads the season series with two wins and a loss. The lone Kamloops win came on October 11th in Everett. Each game has been tightly contested — an empty-net goal created the only two-goal win for either side.
If it is offense you want, the Kamloops Blazers have it in spades. The team has scored the third-most goals in the WHL (136). Four of the top 11 point producers in the league are Blazers, including the second-highest point scorer, Zane Franklin. Franklin has 20 goals and 33 assists in 34 games. He is just one point behind Adam Beckman for the league lead. Orrin Centazzo is tied for fourth in the league in goals scored with 22.
The Silvertips have the league’s highest goal scorer in Bryce Kindopp. He has 25 goals in 33 games and he is eighth overall in points with 42. His linemate, Cole Fonstad, is third in the WHL with 32 assists. Everett also boasts the second-highest point-producing defenseman in Wyatte Wylie. He has eight goals and 23 assists from the back end.
Max Martin has played well in Kamloops. He is fifth in defenseman scoring with five goals and 24 assists.
Bryce Kindopp leads the league in a couple of other categories as well. He has seven first goals and six game-winning goals.
Where things get interesting is between the pipes. Normally, Dustin Wolf would get the start for the Everett Silvertips. He is currently with Team USA at the IIHF World Junior Championships. That leaves the netminding to capable backup Keegan Karki. He’s got a 7-0-1-0 record this season and is backed up by rookie Braden Holt. Holt saw his first WHL game action last night against the Prince George Cougars. As a 16-year-old, he performed admirably, allowing just one goal on 20 shots in 42 minutes of action.
The Blazers have themselves an excellent goaltender in Dylan Garand. He is the undisputed starter in Kamloops and has carried the team well when needed. He has won each of his last three starts including a shutout victory over the Kelowna Rockets last night. He is now 19-8-1-1 this season and sports a 2.32 goals against average and .922 save percentage.
In other WHL action:
Moose Jaw Warriors (10-18-2-0) @ Regina Pats (9-18-3-1)
The Pats have points in their last three contests and look to move ahead of the Warriors in the Eastern Conference standings. The Warriors have just one win in their last 13 games. That win came back on December 10th.
Prince Albert Raiders (20-10-3-1) @ Saskatoon Blades (16-15-1-2)
The Blades have played extremely well against the Raiders this season, posting a 4-1-0-0 record. Last night, the Blades took a 3-2 victory over the Raiders in Prince Albert. The Raiders are struggling without their leading scorer Aliaksei Protas, posting a 4-6-0-0 record over their last 10 games. The gap between themselves and Winnipeg has shrunk to three points.
Brandon Wheat Kings (15-16-1-2) @ Winnipeg ICE (20-13-1-0)
The Wheat Kings hold the slight edge in the season series between the provincial rivals at 4-3-0-0. Winnipeg is 3-4-0-0. Winnipeg won the game last night by a 4-0 score. They are 11-5-0-0 at the Wayne Fleming Arena in Winnipeg.
Red Deer Rebels (12-18-0-3) @ Edmonton Oil Kings (23-6-5-2)
The Oil Kings nearly blew a 2-0 lead but held off the Rebels to go 4-0-0-0 against Red Deer this season. The Rebels are outside the playoff picture currently, sitting six points behind the Wheat Kings for the final playoff spot with a game in hand. Edmonton leads the Central Division by six points.
Swift Current Broncos (7-22-1-2) @ Lethbridge Hurricanes (21-10-0-5)
The Broncos are currently five points behind the Prince George Cougars for last in the entire WHL. The Hurricanes are chasing the Oil Kings for the Central Division, trailing by six points. Last night’s win for the Broncos over the Tigers broke a nine-game losing streak. Lethbridge has points in seven of its last 10 games.
Portland Winterhawks (23-6-1-2) @ Seattle Thunderbirds (13-17-2-1)
It’s first versus worst in the US Division. 21 points separate the teams as the Winterhawks are tied with Everett for the top spot in the Western Conference. They have points in eight straight games. The Thunderbirds have climbed back into the playoff picture, winners of three straight and six of their last 10 games. They are tied with the Tri-City Americans for the second wild-card position in the Western Conference.
Calgary Hitmen (16-10-4-1) @ Medicine Hat Tigers (22-10-1-1)
The Hitmen have won the two contests between these clubs this season, outscoring the Tigers 8-3. Medicine Hat boasts the second leading point-getter in the WHL — James Hamblin has 53 points on the season.
Kelowna Rockets (18-12-1-2) @ Vancouver Giants (16-15-1-1)
These teams are battling for the third time this season. Vancouver has won both previous games. Vancouver is fourth in the tight BC Division, while Memorial Cup host Kelowna is second, eight points behind the Kamloops Blazers. Both teams are missing important parts of their rosters as the IIHF World Junior Championships continue.
Tri-City Americans (12-15-4-1) @ Spokane Chiefs (19-11-3-1)
These two teams are heading in opposite directions as the Chiefs are chasing the division leaders and the Americans are plummeting in the standings. The team risks falling out of the playoff picture, as they have just one win in their last 14 games. Spokane has won seven of their last 10.
Prince George Cougars (9-20-1-3) @ Victoria Royals (17-12-2-0)
The Royals have quietly put together another good season and are third in the BC Division. With two games in hand, they are just three points behind the Rockets. Neither team has a scorer in the top-60 in points. Shane Farkas has been a difference maker for the Royals as he is seventh in goals against average at 2.54.
