MONDAY REPORT: Hart, Puppies, Weights, and PNW Reps

By Mike Benton – Silvertips play-by-play

By process of elimination, the field is getting smaller. The Stanley Cup is getting closer. The bubble is more compact, and we’re seeing meaningful hockey played in late August.

If this year we call “2020” means anything, embrace the unexpected.

Except for one thing: the last man standing on the Silvertips alumni side has forged a path out of resiliency.

Let’s get updated with the last 7 days.

TIPS ALUMNI, STANLEY CUP PLAYOFF UPDATE:

• CARTER HART (G – PHILADELPHIA FLYERS): Hart forged that path out of resiliency for four years as an Everett Silvertip, rebounding from every loss with renewed focus and intensified vision for vengeance – even if the Tips were playing in back-to-back situations.

In the last seven days, he became the second youngest goaltender in NHL history to post back to back shutouts in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Carter Hart is the 2nd-youngest goalie to record consecutive shutouts in Stanley Cup Playoff history. The youngest is Hall of Famer Harry Lumley, who turned the trick before he celebrated his 19th birthday back in 1945 pic.twitter.com/PAUeconAW3

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) August 18, 2020

Fact: Harry “Apple Cheeks” Lumley (go ahead, Google it) got his head start so far ahead that he remains the youngest goaltender to ever play in the NHL: debuting at age 17 in 1943-44.

Helping the Flyers grunt past the Montreal Canadiens in a taxing six-game series, Hart has registered off-the-chart numbers to launch his playoff career:

6-2, a pair of shutouts, 1.71 goals-against-average, .943 save percentage: in eight appearances.

For fans who saw this up close every night in downtown Everett, not too surprising. In 49 career WHL Playoff games: 25-24, six playoff series wins, .921 save percentage, four shutouts, and winner of the longest game in CHL history (five overtimes to close out Victoria in 2017).

For fans who are becoming acquainted with the poise of Hart’s playoff cool, not too routine.

As Hart and the Flyers stand 12 wins away from the Stanley Cup, they next face the New York Islanders in the second round, with Game 1 today at 4:00p.m. PT (NBCSN / SN).

PACIFIC NORTHWEST NOTABLES:

I’ve said this time and time again: with the rise of the Seattle Kraken just 30 miles away from downtown Everett as the newest NHL destination, “a rising tide lifts all boats.” The elevated profile of hockey at the highest level in the world, in turn, has elevated the profile of the Silvertips and Seattle Thunderbirds with a hike at the box office, grass roots events, and general interest in where people take in their sports news on TV, radio, and online.

Even a team such as the Spokane Chiefs, who admittedly are a five-hour hike away from King and Snohomish County, still reap benefits as a member of a growing hockey hotbed state (see: two Memorial Cup titles, robust turnout at the gate, NHL alumni, etc). Add: Tri-City and in the neighboring state, the Winterhawks. In near outposts, there is growth – continuous and rapid.

The talent you see on ice today, perhaps, has the next generation ready to go in the WHL.

Aside from Hart, checking in on additional PNW / WHL alums:

• Mat Barzal (F, NY Islanders / WHL, Seattle): 7 points in 9 games. Tied for 3^rd among the Islanders in points.
• Shea Theodore (D, Vegas / WHL, Seattle): 9 points in 9 games. Leads Vegas defensemen, third in blueliners for the playoffs.
• Nate Thompson (C, Philadelphia / WHL, Seattle): 9 games, 1 goal. Hasn’t missed a game, averaging 12:34 of ice time.
• Tyler Johnson (C, Tampa Bay / WHL, Spokane): 5 points in 9 games. Tied for 3^rd among the Lightning in points.
• Brandon Carlo (D, Boston / WHL, Tri-City): 9 games, 1 assist, +2 rating. Hasn’t missed a game and averaging 19:20 of ice time.

SILVERTIPS OFFSEASON UPDATES:

• BRENDAN LEE: Weight rooms, skill development, and playing the waiting game as he’s returned to the Puget Sound from the Dallas area (he also skated with Wyatte Wylie and Caleb Jones, among notables).
• OLEN ZELLWEGER: Working out in Alberta, he’s noticeably gained size and muscle preparing for his second WHL season.

Attack life as hard as @OlenZellweger with a bunch of weights. 😤#LetsGoTips pic.twitter.com/1Ejkx26nil

— Everett Silvertips (@WHLsilvertips) August 23, 2020

• HUNTER CAMPBELL: Moving through the same routine of training and waiting, he’s addressed the possible mental effects a lengthier summer. He got a puppy.

Doesn't a pandemic puppy makes things better?

Say hello to Hunter Campbell's new friend:

Murphy. 🐶 pic.twitter.com/kqhgWmRWqb

— Everett Silvertips (@WHLsilvertips) August 24, 2020

• ANGEL OF THE WINDS ARENA: Check out a few released images from Chris Mast’s impeccable art of photography (more coming via everettsilvertips.com – including the cover photo you see at the top), illustrating a venue that is waiting to get back to normal, and ready to do so.

𝒲ℯ 𝓂𝒾𝓈𝓈 𝓎ℴ𝓊 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒸𝒶𝓃'𝓉 𝓌𝒶𝒾𝓉 𝒻ℴ𝓇 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝓉ℴ 𝒷ℯ 𝓁ℴ𝓊𝒹 𝒶ℊ𝒶𝒾𝓃.

ℒℴ𝓋ℯ,
𝒯𝒽ℯ 𝒮𝒾𝓁𝓋ℯ𝓇𝓉𝒾𝓅𝓈 pic.twitter.com/XEQO7HmZLw

— Everett Silvertips (@WHLsilvertips) August 23, 2020

• TARGET DATE FOR RETURN TO PLAY: Still December 4.