Final thoughts as Everett Silvertips fall to SeattleThunderbirds

The Game

The slide is now three losses in a row for the banged up and worn out Silvertips. Everett did see the return of defenseman Noah Juulsen after he missed one full game and the final period of Wednesday’s overtime loss to Kelowna, but Brycen Martin went down following a big hit in the second period and spent the remainder of the game in a suit in the stands.

Carter Hart appeared not the worse for wear despite taking a slap shot to the shoulder area a minute into the second period. He missed nine minutes and returned to help the Tips kill off one of the four penalties they committed.

The T-Birds were without star defenseman Ethan Bear and forward Keegan Kolesar, so it’s not like Seattle was at completely full strength either. The Thunderbirds got a standout performance from goaltender Landon Bow who matched Hart with his sixth shutout of the season. And Seattle got two goals from Mathew Barzal, who has now scored the game-winning goal in both of the T-Birds’ wins over Everett this season.

What does this all mean? The T-Birds are within three points of the Silvertips and have a game in hand. The teams play twice more this season including next Friday in Everett and March 11 in Kent.

The Tips have a chance to right the proverbial ship Sunday against Tri-City, but the Americans are 7-3 in their last 10 games and have given the Tips fits all season long. Tri-City is coming off a 7-2 beatdown of Prince George on Saturday night.

The Turning Point

Barzal took advantage of an Everett turnover and scored the only goal the T-Birds needed late in the first period.

Three Stars

1. Seattle G Landon Bow: The overage netminder saved all 24 of Everett’s shots to record his sixth shutout of the year

2. Seattle F Mathew Barzal: The NY Islanders prospect scored both goals for Seattle.

3. Everett G Carter Hart: The 17-year-old saved 19 of 20 shots and returned to the game after missing nine minutes following a puck to the shoulder.

The Box Score