While the Calgary Flames are preparing for the end of the 2016-17 regular season and the onset of the Stanley Cup playoffs, their prospects in the Western Hockey League are in the nitty-gritty of the first round the post-season. Earlier tonight, the Everett Silvertips (home of Eetu Tuulola) defeated the Victoria Royals (home of Matthew Phillips) by a score of 3-2. The victory clinched a series win for Everett.
The game was extremely noteworthy because the game-winning goal came midway through the fifth period of overtime. At 151:56, it was the longest game in the history of the Canadian Hockey League.
THAT'S IT! @babych77 ends the longest game in #WHLPlayoffs history!@WHLsilvertips win 3-2 & take the series 4-2!#EVTvsVIC
— #WHLPlayoffs (@TheWHL) April 3, 2017
With 8:24 left in the fifth overtime, Cal Babych scores for Everett to end the @CHLHockey's longest game played.
— Victoria Royals (@victoriaroyals) April 3, 2017
Shots were 75-66 for Everett. The game began at 2:07 p.m. PT and ended just before 9 p.m. PT, lasting the better part of six hours. With the victory, Everett moves on to face the Seattle Thunderbirds in the second round while Victoria’s season is over. While he’s not under an entry-level contract, it is a possibility that Phillips could join the Stockton Heat on an amateur try-out for the remainder of their season.
After how his last game went, though, the Victoria sniper may want to have a nap first.
