Referees upgrade minor penalty to a major as Silvertips beat Raiders 3-1
The Everett Silvertips defeated the Prince Albert Raiders 3-1 at the Art Hauser Centre on Friday night, but the game was overshadowed by a referee decision that Raiders head coach Marc Habscheid said he’s never seen before.
In the game’s second period, with the visitors leading 3-0, Raiders winger Kolby Johnson delivered a hard shoulder-on-shoulder hit on Everett’s Orrin Centazzo in the centre ice area, sending the Silvertips player to the ground. The referees put two minutes on the penalty clock without announcing the call.
“I thought, just looking at the replay, it was a clean hit. But that’s left to interpretation,” Habscheid said.
The visiting coaching staff then called the officials over to argue the call. Following that exchange the officials discussed the incident amongst themselves and eventually the minor penalty was upgraded to a five-minute charging major and a game misconduct.
“I’ve been in this game for a long time and (associate coach) Dave Manson’s been in the game and (skills coach) Mark Odnokon and (assistant coach) Brandin Cote and not one of us have ever seen that before,” Habscheid said.
“It’s one thing to make a call, but I’ve never seen a call made and then go to the bench … and then go back and change the call. I’ve never seen that. I’ve never seen that it my life.”
The game was scoreless after the first 20 minutes of play. Five minutes into the second period a P.A. clearing attempt was intercepted by Everett’s Noah Juulsen. The defencemen put the puck on net and rookie winger Eetu Tuulola tipped the shot past Raider netminder Nicholas Sanders to nab a 1-0 lead. Shortly after lighting the lamp Tuutola took a hit from Raider Max Martin, who was promptly led to the box on charges of roughing.
“After they scored their first goal Max Martin goes by and the guy falls like he was almost knocked out and Marty hardly never even touched him,” Habschied said.
“They’ve known to embellish, that team is known for that, but that’s just the way it is.”
On the ensuing power play Silvertip Riley Sutter appeared to score while falling in the crease. The officials would have to review the play but ultimately called it a good goal. The Tips found further power play success later in the frame with Patrick Bajkov netting his 23rd goal of the campaign to put the visitors up 3-0. Everett carried that lead into the third period, outshooting the Raiders 18-5 in the middle frame.
As the third period was winding down Curtis Miske finally beat Everett goalie Carter Hart, extending his points streak to five games.
The Raiders are back in action Saturday night when they travel to Brandon to take on the Wheat Kings. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
Game Summary
Everett 3, Prince Albert 1
First Period
No scoring
Second Period
- Everett, Tuutlola 14 (Juulsen) 5:14
- Everett, Sutter 16 (Fonteyne) 5:59 (pp)
- Everett, Bajkov 23 (Zwerger, Davis) 12:44 (pp)
Third Period
- Prince Albert, Miske 15 (Martin) 18:11 (pp)
Goalies: Prince Albert – Nicholas Sanders, 33 saves (L, 9-12-1-2); Everett – Carter Hart, 26 saves (W, 24-7-6-1).
Three Stars: 1. Patrick Bajkov; 2. Carter Hart; 3. Curtis Miske.
