Silvertips hope for strong finish to preseason

EVERETT — The Everett Silvertips enter their third and final weekend of the preseason tonight as they play host to the Portland Winterhawks at 7 at Xfinity Arena. The final preseason game comes Saturday at home at 7:05 against Victoria.

The defending U.S. Division champion Silvertips bring a 4-1 preseason mark into the weekend including a pair of victories over rival and defending conference champion Portland. Yet head coach Kevin Constantine was quick to note that last week’s victory came with 11 Winterhawks players gone to NHL training camps.

“That’s not really the Portland team we’re going to play,” Constantine said. “We have guys away too, but you have to careful of how you judge games when so many teams have so many players away.”

One area in which Everett must improve is its readiness in the opening game of the weekend. The Silvertips dropped their first game at the Tri-City Invite to Prince George last week Thursday and squeaked by Tri-City in their first preseason game at the Holiday Inn Classic two weeks ago. Each time Everett followed up lackluster opening-game efforts with decisive victories.

“It’s like we took a game to get our heads back into playing a game,” Constantine said. “We got to figure out a way to be sharper, more switched on right away when we get going.”

Russian rookie Yan Khomenko leads the Silvertips with three goals and two assists in four games. Carson Stadnyk also has three goals. Stadnyk was away at St. Louis Blues training camp and did not play last weekend. He has since returned to the Tips.

Dawson Leedahl has two goals and three assists, while Patrick Bajkov and Matt Fonteyne have each scored twice in four games.

Rookie goaltender Mario Petit was been impressive in the preseason. He has allowed just two goals in 164 minutes for a 0.79 goals-against average and 70 saves with a .972 percentage. Returning starter Carter Hart has allowed six goals and made 39 saves in 76 minutes.

Alex Overhardt leads Portland (3-3 preseason) with four goals and two assists. Dominic Turgeon, Brett Clayton and Austin Gray have all scored twice for the Winterhawks. Goaltender Adin Hill is 2-0 with 62 saves. He has a GAA of 2.18 and a .939 save percentage.

Victoria (2-3) of the B.C. Division is led by Regan Nagy’s three goals. Alex Forsberg (two goals, three assists) and Matthew Williams (two goals, three assists) are Victoria’s top overall point producers. Logan Fisher and Keith Anderson have each scored twice.

Logan Thompson has been Victoria’s top netminder thus far having allowed one goal with 18 saves in two games for a .947 save percentage.

The Silvertips are down to 29 players after assigning Cam Dykstra to Amarillo of the NAHL Wednesday, but Everett will need to cut the roster by at least four more prior to the start of the season. Those decisions can’t be made until the four players at NHL training camps either return to Everett or sign professional contracts.

“You can’t get to the numbers you want until you see the whites of the eyes of the guys coming back from NHL camps,” Constantine said. “You’re never sure if they’re coming back or not. We’re still in limbo as far as the NHL guys coming back and so we still have bodies here.”

The Tips open the regular season Sept. 25 at Prince George. The home opener is scheduled for Oct. 10 against Spokane.

Notes

The Silvertips released 19-year-old center Cole Chorney Thursday. Chorney was acquired as a non-drafted listed player this offseason after playing in 64 games with Red Deer over two seasons. … Left wing Brandon Ralph, acquired in a trade with Edmonton Tuesday was at Xfinity Arena Thursday for his first practice as a Silvertip. Ralph, 19, appeared in 113 games for the Oil Kings over the last two seasons with 13 goals and eight assists.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 8-17

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 8-17. Voting closes at… Continue reading

X
Silvertips’ playoff picture coming together as season hits final week

Everett is officially the Western Conference’s No. 3 seed and is likely heading into a matchup with Kelowna or Vancouver.

Los Angeles Rams offensive guard Tremayne Anchrum (72) against the Denver Broncos during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Seahawks add to position of need, sign guard Tremayne Anchrum Jr.

The 25-year-old has played in 31 games, starting once, since being drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in 2020.

Everett Community College head coach Chet Hovde watches as the women's team practices on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 in Everett, Wa. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
EvCC coach Chet Hovde, who ‘lived for’ basketball, dies at 77

Coach Hovde graduated from Everett High School in 1965. He spent 33 years as the women’s basketball coach at the community college.

Jackson’s Ian Friedrichsen celebrates his goal with his teammates during the game against Bothell on Thursday, May 11, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep boys soccer: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines for this high school boys soccer season

Jackson’s Rachel Sysum is hugged by Leneyah Mitchell after hitting a home run during the game against Bothell on Friday, May 19, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep softball: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines to keep an eye on this high school softball season.

X
Prep roundup for Friday, March 15

Prep roundup for Friday, March 15: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Glacier Peak’s Samantha Christensen runs to home plate to celebrate her home run with her teammates during the game against Snohomish on Friday, March 15, 2024 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
GALLERY: Glacier Peak softball tops rival Snohomish

The Grizzlies prevail 9-5 in a clash of area powers.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

The Washington Wolfpack logo is revealed during the Everett AFL team unveiling at Tony V's Garage in Everett, Washington onThursday, Oct. 26, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Everett’s new arena football team to have 4 televised games

The NFL Network will broadcast 30 AFL games this season, including two Wolfpack home games.

Washington coach Mike Hopkins yells to the team during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against California, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, in Seattle. California won 82-80. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Looking back at Mike Hopkins’ turbulent tenure as UW men’s basketball coach

The departing Huskies coach had highs early, but the good times didn’t last long.

X
Prep roundup for Saturday, March 16

Prep roundup for Saturday, March 16: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.