nelson951
02-25-2006, 12:37 PM
T-birds goalie holds Tips to 1
By Jim Riley
Special to The Seattle Times
SEATTLE — It wasn't a shutout, but Seattle goaltender Bryan Bridges will take it.
Bridges, the Western Hockey League career leader in shutouts with 22, stopped 39 shots to lead the Thunderbirds to a 2-1 win at KeyArena.
Although Bridges saw 40 shots by Everett come his way, he wasn't about to complain about being overworked.
"It was 40 shots, but a lot of those shots were from the perimeter and there weren't too many screens to fight through or much traffic in front," Bridges said after improving his record to 19-10 this season. "Forty shots isn't bad if they are all from the outside. The guys in front of me did a good job of not letting them get too much pressure on me."
The win by Seattle (29-26-1-4) cuts Everett's lead in the U.S. Division to nine points. The loss ended a three-game winning streak for Everett (34-21-2-2).
Aaron Gagnon scored his 20th goal of the season after a pass from Roman Tomanek at 8:12 of the first period to give the T-birds an early lead. Greg Scott made it 2-0 at 17:00 of the second period with his sixth of the season.
Zach Hamill cut the lead to one with a score at 9:06 of the third period, tipping in a rebound after a rush by John Lammers.
The Silvertips pounded Bridges with 17 shots in the third period, but fell to 2-9 with three ties all-time in KeyArena.
"It's frustrating any time you lose, it doesn't matter how or where," Lammers said. "It's extra frustrating when you get that many shots, but Bridges is a good goalie and he got the job done."
Everett was down two men in the final three minutes after a delay of game penalty and an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against Everett coach Kevin Constantine.
"We came out and played with a purpose," Seattle coach Rob Sumner said. "We played hard and smart for the most part. We know Everett is a good team and they deserve our best. We were pretty hungry all night."
Seattle defenseman Scott Jackson did a good job in front of Bridges, keeping Everett's swarming forwards out of the danger zone.
"We know that they are really opportunistic," Jackson said. "We had to make sure we took care of our own net. You really have to focus on where their forwards are all the time."
Savage let alot go, to the detriment of the Tips who seem to lack that tough edge to take it to the next step. Good turn out of Tips faces who go home disappointed once again. The two meet in a home and home next weekend.
By Jim Riley
Special to The Seattle Times
SEATTLE — It wasn't a shutout, but Seattle goaltender Bryan Bridges will take it.
Bridges, the Western Hockey League career leader in shutouts with 22, stopped 39 shots to lead the Thunderbirds to a 2-1 win at KeyArena.
Although Bridges saw 40 shots by Everett come his way, he wasn't about to complain about being overworked.
"It was 40 shots, but a lot of those shots were from the perimeter and there weren't too many screens to fight through or much traffic in front," Bridges said after improving his record to 19-10 this season. "Forty shots isn't bad if they are all from the outside. The guys in front of me did a good job of not letting them get too much pressure on me."
The win by Seattle (29-26-1-4) cuts Everett's lead in the U.S. Division to nine points. The loss ended a three-game winning streak for Everett (34-21-2-2).
Aaron Gagnon scored his 20th goal of the season after a pass from Roman Tomanek at 8:12 of the first period to give the T-birds an early lead. Greg Scott made it 2-0 at 17:00 of the second period with his sixth of the season.
Zach Hamill cut the lead to one with a score at 9:06 of the third period, tipping in a rebound after a rush by John Lammers.
The Silvertips pounded Bridges with 17 shots in the third period, but fell to 2-9 with three ties all-time in KeyArena.
"It's frustrating any time you lose, it doesn't matter how or where," Lammers said. "It's extra frustrating when you get that many shots, but Bridges is a good goalie and he got the job done."
Everett was down two men in the final three minutes after a delay of game penalty and an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against Everett coach Kevin Constantine.
"We came out and played with a purpose," Seattle coach Rob Sumner said. "We played hard and smart for the most part. We know Everett is a good team and they deserve our best. We were pretty hungry all night."
Seattle defenseman Scott Jackson did a good job in front of Bridges, keeping Everett's swarming forwards out of the danger zone.
"We know that they are really opportunistic," Jackson said. "We had to make sure we took care of our own net. You really have to focus on where their forwards are all the time."
Savage let alot go, to the detriment of the Tips who seem to lack that tough edge to take it to the next step. Good turn out of Tips faces who go home disappointed once again. The two meet in a home and home next weekend.