Posted : : 01/23/2008
Mr. 100
Irving's Accomplishments Stockpiling
Everett Silvertips Press Release




Everett, WA - It will go down in the books as a key win against a divisional rival in the heat of a playoff chase, and that's perfectly fine with Leland Irving. The polite, unassuming goaltender with the Everett Silvertips has more need for team accomplishments and league trophies than he does for personal milestones. Still, when learning about his feat following the 4-2 victory over the Spokane Chiefs on Saturday night at Comcast Arena, Irving couldn't help but crack a smile: he had just won his 100th career game, all with the Everett Silvertips.

And if this does in fact happen to be Irving's swan song with the Silvertips (as a 19 year old first round draft pick, he appears to be headed the professional route next season), one can only gawk at his impressive resume in Everett with amazement and respect. As arguably the most recognizable name and face of the Everett franchise, he has been among those most responsible for the symphony of cowbells and screams emanating from Comcast Arena on a typical mid-winter weekend.

And what a week it has been for the veteran netminder. Less than one week after recording his nineteenth career shutout in a 5-0 blanking of the Portland Winter Hawks on January 13th, he completed a week by going 2-0 against the first place Chiefs, stopping 61 of 64 shots and earning his 100th career victory on Saturday. Over his last three games, he has stopped 86 of 89 shots, good for a .966 save percentage over that stretch.

His success has rubbed off on Everett's #2 goaltender, the 18-year old Shayne Barrie, who in his rookie season has already posted a save percentage over .900 and a goals against average under three. In perhaps yet another illustration of a gift that keeps on giving, Irving's steady approach and laid back game time demeanor have transferred over to the equally cool and collected Barrie, who looks to follow in the extra-large footsteps that his predecessor constructed himself.