VANCOUVER, B.C. — The Everett Silvertips’ recent struggles continue.
Everett lost for the fourth time in five games, falling 3-0 to the Vancouver Giants on Friday night in Vancouver’s teddy bear toss.
Former Silvertip Trent Lofthouse scored the goal that sent the bears flying onto the ice midway through the second period as Vancouver controlled play throughout.
Brett Kulak also scored and Jackson Houck added a late empty netter for Vancouver (16-12-5-2), which won for the first time in four meetings between the two teams this season.
Jared Rathjen made 22 saves in goal for the Giants to record his first career Western Hockey League shutout.
Austin Lotz finished with 33 saves in net for Everett (21-8-4-0), which was shut out for just the second time this season.
Neither team found the net in the first period. Vancouver had the better scoring chances, but Lotz kept them all out as it remained scoreless going into the second.
The Giants then took the lead 9 minutes, 4 seconds into the second. Lotz had just made an amazing diving save on a rebound, a play which prompted some of the Vancouver fans to toss their teddy bears onto the ice. But shortly after Lofthouse tipped in Dalton Thrower’s shot from the point, sending the bears flying for real.
Everett tried to push for the tying goal early in the third period, but couldn’t turn possession into scoring chances. Vancouver scored the crucial insurance goal with 8:40 remaining and an empty-net goal with 1:20 to play.
Giants 3, Silvertips 0
Everett000—0
Vancouver012—3
First Period—no goals. Penalties—Orban, Vancouver (roughing), 1:59; Sward, Vancouver (checking from behind), 12:33.
Second Period—1, Vancouver, Lotfhouse 7 (Thrower, Popoff), 9:04. Penalties—Morrison, Vancouver (tripping), 14:39.
Third Period—2, Vancouver, Kulak 12, 11:20. 3, Vancouver, Houck 15 (Popoff), 18:40 (en). Penalties—MacDonald, Everett (tripping), 3:51; Sward, Vancouver (tripping), 7:03; Betker, Everett (hooking), 16:03.
Shots on goal—Everett 6-7-9—22. Vancouver 14-11-11—36. Power-play opportunities—Everett 0 of 4. Vancouver 0 of 2.
Goalies—Everett, Lotz 16-7-1-0 (35 shots, 33 saves). Vancouver, Rathjen 6-3-2-1 (22 shots, 22 saves).
A—10,552.
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