Dayna Fjord

Cole Kehler stars as Portland edges Everett 3-1

(Everett, WA) It was a defensive effort that former Everett Silvertips (7-10-1-0) coach Kevin Constantine would have been proud of. The Portland Winterhawks (12-4) went into Xfinity Arena and took both points, eking out a 3-1 win in Everett.Despite the 44 shots against, the Winterhawks as a team kept the Silvertips to the outside and away from any of the few rebounds that goaltender Cole Kehler let out. They also committed to team defense and came back to back-check, often takign goals off the board by tying up sticks. They also, as a group, blocked shots and cleared out rebounds.

Kehler put in one of his best efforts in what has been an incredible season for him. He made 43 saves on 44 shots, running his GAA down to 2.09 and his save percentage up to 0.935.

Carter Hart was also solid at the other end for Everett stopping 39 of 41.

Everett Head Coach Dennis Williams was impressed with both teams in this one. “That was a pretty good game with two teams battling it out. Both teams got good goaltending and it was a nail biter there at the end. It was disheartening for the guys, but hopefully it is something we can learn from.”

As for his 19-year-old netminder, who rebounded from a bout with mononucleosis to stop 62 of 65 shots in his first two games back. Williams sang his star goalie’s praises after the loss. “He played well again. He has such a solid and calm demeanor. He did a great job bailing out pour young d-corps.”

Everett’s power play has been unsuccessful on their last 21 opportunities. They were 0/6 in this one. Williams mentioned after the game that they might want to shuffle it up of revisit what they are doing.

Kieffer Bellows buried his 13th of the year, to open the scoring. The goal came from some hard work behind the net by Skyler McKenzie, who won the puck away and found Bellows alone in front. The 19-year-old forward made no mistake and extended his point streak to 11 games.

We would get not scoring in the second, thanks in no small part to the fantastic goaltending by Carter Hart and Cole Kehler. The latter had a highlight reel save late in the period while Everett was on the power play. While down and out after making a previous save, Kehler just threw up his glove and was able to deflect away a shot seemingly headed for a vacant net from Kevin Davis.

We also got a spirited tilt in the second between Montana Onyebuchi of Everett and John Ludvig of Portland.

The Silvertips rode the momentum of a great end to the second period and kept the pressure on the Winterhawks. They finally got one past Kehler as Sean Richards was able to get his stick on a shot from Connor Dewar and he tipped it off of Kehler and in.

Ty Kolle then put a burst in and got into the teeth of the Everett defense in front of Hart. Alex Overhardt then scooped the puck up and gave Portland the 2-1 lead with 10:55 left.

Everett and Portland then kept trading looks, but the ‘Tips could not get another puck past Kehler. After Hart was pulled for an extra-attacker, Cody Glass got his stick on an Everett pass and pushed it ahead to Skyler McKenzie. The diminutive speedster beat the Everett defender to the puck and found the open net.  The marker was his second point of the night and his 13th goal of the season.

Game Notes:

-Cody Glass responded after winning only two of 16 draws yesterday, to win 11 of 14 tonight. Overhardt went 12/23 and Jake Gricius was 5/10.

-Joachim Blichfeld led the team with seven shots, while Bellows had six and McKenzie had five. You have to feel for the Danish import, who is getting his looks, but just has not found the net since October 15th.

-Bellows, Glass and McKenzie continue to do yeoman’s work for the Winterhawks. The three are all in the top-11 in the league in shots on goal and are all in the top-16 in the league in points.

-Portland takes a 2-1 series lead. They next play each other in Everett on December 6th.

-After a three game losing streak, the Hawks have now rebounded with a three game win streak.

-Portland’s record in the U.S. Division now runs up to 8-1.

-The Winterhawks do not play until next Saturday, at home against Tri-City.

-Cody Glass and Carter Hart will both play in the CIBC Canada Russia Series in Moose Jaw and Swift Current this Monday and Tuesday.

-Everett next plays in Prince George on Friday.