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The biggest question heading into the 2016-17 season for Everett was offensive production: will enough goals be scored to stay competitive in games? Although opening weekend isn’t an indication of how one team’s season will go, the Silvertips have to be pleased with their start.
Defeated Vancouver 7-3
Everett began their season with a matchup in Vancouver’s new barn at the Langley Events Centre on Friday, September 23rd. With Carter Hart attending Philadelphia Flyers camp, Mario Petit would get the nod in net. The Silvertips got off to a fast start and would not hold back. At 2:59 Bryce Kindopp scored his first career WHL goal on the power play to give Everett the early lead. Graham Millar tallied another goal not too long after at 8:28 to give the Tips’ a 2-0 lead. Shortly afterwards, Devon Skoleski tacked on another power play at to give Everett a three-goal lead at 9:35. Skoleski would continue the offensive onslaught with his second goal of the night less than two minutes later. Dawson Holt finally got Vancouver on board at 17:05 but Jake Christiansen answered right back 37 seconds later to help Everett retain a four goal lead.
At 9:35 in the 2nd period Dawson Holt with his 2nd goal of the night cut into Everett’s lead. Sean Richards, who was acquired from Regina in the Dawson Leedahl trade, added a goal of his own in his Silvertips debut at 17:01. The Silvertips would carry a four-goal lead after two periods.
Graham Millar would seal the victory for Everett with his second goal of the night at 18:33. Although the Giants were able to add a late goal from Jack Flaman at 19:28, it was too little, too late. Mario Petit stopped 20/23 shots to earn his first win of the season.
Defeated Vancouver 3-1
Everett returned home the following night to Xfinity Arena to square off against the Giants once again. Lasse Petersen would get the start in goal for the Tips.
Once again, the Silvertips were off to a fast start with Graham Millar scoring his team leading 3rd goal of the season at 3:30 for an early 1-0 advantage.
Vancouver would get an equalizer late in the 2nd period from Jack Flaman at 16:53 but less than two minutes later Matt Fonteyne would help Everett retake the lead.
Brett Kemp added an insurance goal on the power play in the 3rd period at 4:15 to help seal the victory for Everett. Petersen stopped 12/13 shots to earn his first win of the season.
Notes
Everett was 3/9 on the power play and killed off all seven penalties on the PK.
Matt Fonteyne (1G 3A) and Patrick Bajkov (0G 4A) currently lead the team with 4 points.
A special moment happened during player introductions when local product Wyatte Wylie was announced. The crowd gave Wylie a roaring ovation. He is the first player to be drafted and signed by Everett from Snohomish County.
More Tips News
Everett made a huge splash acquiring Austrian forward Dominic Zwerger from the Spokane Chiefs in exchange for a 2017 3rd round WHL Bantam Draft pick. In 189 games for Spokane Zwerger has scored 60G and 59A for 119PTS. With the addition of Zwerger the Silvertips’ overage situation is taken care of but they had to make another move. Due to the CHL rule of each team only allowed to have a maximum of two import players, Everett released Mario Mucka. Mucka was drafted by Everett in the 2nd round of the CHL Import Draft and had one assist in two games.
Carter Hart and Eetu Tuulola are returning from their NHL team camps. Hart, a 2nd round pick (48th overall) by the Philadelphia Flyers, and Tuulola 6th round (156th overall) by the Calgary Flames, should both be ready to play this upcoming weekend against Portland and Tri-City.
Next three games
Friday September 30th vs Portland Winterhawks 7:00 PM at Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Sunday October 2nd vs Tri-City Americans 5:05 PM at Toyota Center
Wednesday October 5th vs Tri-City Americans 7:05 PM at Xfinity Arena