:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48830029/GettyImages-501950488.0.jpg)
The Silvertips started a three-in-three weekend on February 12th with a matchup in Portland. Everett has struggled to score goals against Winterhawks goalie Adin Hill this season. In seven games against Everett, Hill has four wins with a 2.14 GAA and one shutout.
They would return home the next night to face the Victoria Royals. The two faced off last Monday in a high scoring game with Everett losing 6-4. The Silvertips finished the weekend in Spokane, squaring off against the Chiefs for the eighth time.
Loss to Portland 3-2
Portland would strike first at 5:41 in the 1st period when Alex Overhardt beat Carter Hart through the five-hole. After one period the Silvertips would trail 0-1 despite holding a slight shot advantage 11-10.
Early in the 2nd period, Jake Christiansen would help Everett tie the game with a goal. Christiansen would bury a centering pass from Devon Skoleski at 2:26 while crashing the net. Portland would retake the lead at 8:55 when Rodrigo Abols scored off a deflection.
At 19:45 Keoni Texeira blasted a shot from the point past Hart to give Portland a two-goal lead. The Silvertips trailed 3-1 after two periods and continued to outshoot Portland 16-11.
Mario Petit would replace Hart in net to start the 3rd period. With less than two minutes remaining Petit would head to the bench for an extra attacker. Carson Stadnyk would score off a deflected Brycen Martin shot at 18:13 to get Everett within one goal.
Everett would heavily outshoot Portland 19-2 in the final period but were unable to find an equalizer. Carter Hart stopped 18/21 shots in the loss while Mario Petit stopped 2/2 in relief.
Loss to Victoria 3-0
The last time Everett and Victoria met, ten goals were scored between the two teams. Entering this game, Griffen Outhouse had a 1.91 GAA in 20 games and Carter Hart 2.08 GAA in 51 games.
The game was scoreless after one period with Victoria leading in shots 10-7.
At 10:10 of the 2nd period Spencer Gerth would get called for goaltender interference and Victoria almost cashed in right away, putting one past Hart. The goal would be waived off due to goalie interference. Despite the lucky break for Everett, the Royals got a power play goal from Jack Walker at 11:21.
Victoria would increase their lead at 17:03 with Vladimir Bobylev scoring off a rebound. After two periods the Royals would continue to lead 2-0 while also outshooting Everett 17-9.
Coach Constantine would pull Hart with less than two minutes remaining in the game but Everett was unable to break the goose egg with an extra attacker. Tyler Soy would score an empty netter with less than two seconds remaining, giving Victoria the 3-0 victory.
Carter Hart stopped 32/34 shots in the loss. "It wasn’t the result that we wanted but I thought we battled hard the whole night and definitely competed," said Hart. "The little battles along the walls and all the scrums; we came out on top of those and defiantly improved from last time."
Defeated Spokane 3-2
Mario Petit would get the nod in net for his fourth start of the season. With Seattle picking up the win the previous night against Portland, Everett needed to end their three-game skid.
Noah Juulsen would score to give Everett an early lead. Juulsen skated in the Chiefs zone by the right circle and sent a shot beating Tyson Verhelst at 2:45.
Dominic Zwerger scored on a wrap-around at 6:08 to even the game at one. The game would remain tied after one period with Everett leading 11-6 in shots.
At 9:11 in the 2nd period Matt Sozanski would get a penalty for tripping and Everett would cash in soon after on the power play. Brycen Martin would score with a slap shot from the point giving Everett a 2-1 lead at 10:47.The Silvertips maintained this lead after two periods while also leading in shots 9-7.
Graham Millar would score on a rebound at 7:51 in the 3rd period giving Everett an insurance goal.
Spokane would pull Verhelst with less than three minutes remaining for an extra attacker and Markson Bechtold would score to get Spokane within one. Everett would hold on for the next minute-plus for the 3-2 win.
Mario Petit stopped 22/24 shots to pick up his 2nd win of the season.
Seattle would defeat Victoria Sunday to remain five points behind Everett in the division.
Everett will have another three-in-three weekend starting on February 19th in Tri-City. The Silvertips will return home with games against Seattle and Spokane.
With 16 games remaining in the season, every point will be important. Hart will be heavily relied upon to help carry Everett to the finish. When asked about how he prepares for games Hart said that "every game is the same, you just got to prepare the same way. That’s the key; it’s your preparation and staying to your pregame preparation and routine is the key to staying consistent."
The Silvertips will also need to improve on special teams. They are currently ranked 19th in the league at 17.5%. "Our power play has been better over the last couple of weeks," said Coach Constantine. "We’ve been getting more chances and had (scored) the prior two. (It) would be nice to find a goal. It’s important, but our power play is getting better right now."