WHL US DIVISION – Everett Silvertips Notebook: ‘Tips earn six of eight points during tough stretch.

The Silvertips started this four-game stretch at Kelowna on Friday January 8. The following night they played at Seattle, followed by Spokane on Sunday. They wrapped up on Tuesday welcoming Regina for a rare appearance. Everett would have their hands full as Kelowna welcomed back Rourke Chartier, and Calvin Thurkauf from the World Junior Championships. Mathew Barzal was also returning to the struggling Seattle Thunderbirds.

Defeated Kelowna 3-2 in OT

Rourke Chartier would make an impact his first game back helping Kelowna get on board first at 3:31. Chartier would redirect a Cal Foote shot from the blue line that snuck past Carter Hart's shoulder. Lucas Johansen would be called for a cross check at 14:01 giving Everett a chance on the man advantage. 51 seconds into the power play and the Silvertips would cash in from a one timer by Remi Laurencelle that was blasted by right circle. Kelowna would retake the lead at 15:33 when Tyson Ballie backhanded a shot past Hart's glove side. After one period Kelowna would lead 2-1 while outshooting Everett 11-8.

Despite great chances by both teams there was no scoring in the second period. Kelowna lead the way in shots 9-4. At 14:37 of the third, Cole Linaker would head to the penalty box for checking from behind. The Silvertips would capitalize at 15:12 with Laurencelle getting his second of the night. Cole MacDonald would initially send a shot into traffic that was blocked. Dawson Leedahl retrieved it, feeding a wide open Laurencelle by the right circle. Everett would have to kill a crucial penalty at 17:23 when Noah Juulsen was given two minutes for a cross check.

The Silvertips would manage to kill the penalty and send the game into overtime. After three periods the game was even at two with Everett leading in shots 13-7. Everett would try to remain perfect in overtime on the season. MacDonald would end the game at 2:10 with a shot from the high slot that beat Michael Herringer blocker side. Both teams would record one shot on goal in overtime. Carter Hart stopped 26-of-28 shots in the win.

Loss to Seattle 3-2 in OT

Keegan Kolesar would help Seattle jump to an early 1-0 at 7:10. Kolesar would capitalize on a rebounded shot that was initially stopped by Carter Hart. Seattle would increase their lead at 14:41 with Mathew Barzal beating Hart with a shot glove side. The Thunderbirds would remain on top 2-0 after one period with shots even at ten. Everett was close to staring at a 2-0 deficit after two periods until Remi Laurencelle scored his 2third goal of the season at 19:48. Laurencelle would beat Landon Bow with a backhander inside the near post to cut Seattle's lead. After two periods Everett trailed 2-1 while outshooting Seattle 14-10.

Matt Fonteyne would help Everett even the game at 1:47 of the third. Fonteyne wristed a shot past Bow's shoulder at the left circle. No team would find the go-ahead goal and for the second straight night Everett was heading to overtime. Everett led in shots during the third period 7-4. Only 35 seconds in overtime and Mathew Barzal would get the game winner to give Seattle the 3-2 win. Barzal would skate the puck into Everett's zone getting past Juulsen and Fonteyne and beat Hart top shelf. With the win Seattle ended the Silvertips unbeaten streak in overtime (they were 6-0). Carter Hart stopped 24-of-27 shots in the loss.

Defeated Spokane 3-1

The Silvertips finished their brutal weekend road trip with a game in Spokane Sunday night. Carter Hart would get the nod in net for a third straight night. The Silvertips would get on board first thanks to Dario Winkler at 4:33. Winkler tapped in a rebound from a Tristen Pfeifer shot by the high slot. After one period Everett remained on top while outshooting Spokane 12-9. Midway through the second Everett would increase their lead 2-0. At 9:19 Brandon Ralph would sneak a shot through the five hole past Tyson Verhelst. Despite outshooting Everett in the second period 11-5, Spokane still trailed 2-0.

The Silvertips would add to their lead at 11:06 in the third period. Pfeifer would send a wrister by the slot, beating Verhelst glove side. At 13:28 Spokane would break the goose egg with a goal from Wyatt Johnson. Johnson buried a shot by the left circle beating Hart glove side. With less than three minutes remaining in the game Spokane would pull Verhelst. They would not be able to capitalize with the extra attacker and Everett went on to win 3-1. Spokane outshot Everett in the third period 10-8. Carter Hart stopped 29-of-30 shots to pick up his 2third win of the season.

Loss to Regina 4-3 in OT

After a day off Everett returned to the ice and welcomed in Regina. The last time Everett has defeated Regina at home was on October 10^th 2003. To sum up how long it's been assistant coach Mitch Love was playing for Everett at the time. Everett would get an opportunity for an early lead when Sean Richards was given two minutes for checking from behind at 2:43. With time expiring on the man advantage Cole MacDonald would give Everett the 1-0 lead at 4:06. Remi Laurencelle would add to Everett's lead at 7:31 with his 24^th goal of the season.

The Silvertips remained on top after two periods outshooting Regina 8-7. At 9:57 of the second, Dario Winkler was called for boarding giving Regina a chance to cut into the Silvertips lead. Regina would capitalize at 11:11 on the man advantage with a goal from Jake Leschyshyn. Carson Stadnyk would help Everett regain their two score lead with a goal towards the end of the second at 19:33. After two periods the Silvertips were up 3-1 while also outshooting Regina 10-5. The Pats would claw their way back into the game with Adam scoring at 9:02. Regina would tie the game at 14:24 with Brooks scoring his second goal of the night. Neither team would score the go-ahead goal.

Everett would head into overtime for the third time in four games. Shots were even in the third period with seven apiece. Lucas Skrumeda would be called for a slash at 4:40 in the overtime period and newly acquired Cole Sanford would end the game 17 seconds later with a power play goal as time was expiring. Mario Petit stopped 17-of-21 shots in the loss.

Everett still remains atop the US Division with 52 points while second place Seattle trails by five points. Remi Laurencelle leads Everett with 24 goals and 44 points, already surpassing his points total in 63 games last season.

More Tips News

Goaltender Carter Hart has been named to CHL-of-NHL Top Prospects Game. Hart is one of 12 players from the WHL to compete in the game. He will be suiting up for Team Orr.

Everett has traded Jaeger White to the Brandon Wheat Kings for a conditional sixth round pick in the 2017 WHL Bantam Draft. White was acquired on December 10^th, 2015 by Everett from Lethbridge for a conditional sixth round pick. He suited up in three games for Everett and did not register a point in those games.

Former Tips' defenseman Ben Betker has been recalled by the Bakersfield Condors from the Norfolk Admirals. In 39 games for Norfolk Betker registered one goal and 13 assists.