The Weekend
To borrow sports parlance, the Everett Silvertips “got the result they were looking for” while playing the rare Saturday-Sunday-Monday three-in-three.
On Saturday Everett allowed the first goal, but responded with four unanswered goals in a 5-2 win at Spokane as newcomer Garrett Pilon tallied a hat trick.
Then came a pair of gutsy victories.
The Tips allowed the first goal again Sunday, erased it to take a 2-1 lead, then surrendered that lead and a late 3-2 advantage before edging host Portland 4-3 in a shootout.
On Monday the Tips took the early 2-0 lead before holding off Tri-City 6-5 in a back-and-forth final two periods at home.
What We Learned
– Everett can now win in myriad ways.
The Tips can win with strong goaltending like they got from Carter Hart Friday at Spokane. They can win a back-and-forth game on the road against a similarly built Portland team like they did Saturday. And they can out-score a team with their backup goalie in net like they did Sunday.
– Garrett Pilon is the creative offensive talent Everett needed for a legitimate second scoring line. He had a goal and an assist Monday – both of which were impressive.
With the game tied 2-2, Pilon chipped the puck off the half-wall past a defender to himself and found Matt Fonteyne entering the zone. Fonteyne then found Connor Dewar, who buried his second goal of the game for a 3-2 lead.
Pilon later broke a 4-4 tie with a one-time rocket from the left circle in the third period.
– The constant in all three wins was scoring two power-play goals. Everett has solved that midseason issue.
– “Big Walt” may have been the difference
I want to thank @Benton_Mike, the @WHLsilvertips and @C_Hart70 for welcoming me to #Everett today for a game. Nice to have you guys grab the win and more important, see what quality guys you are. Keep working and be blessed! Can’t wait to see you guys again. pic.twitter.com/tW7nTakQ5G
— WALTER JONES (@BigWalt71) January 16, 2018
Up Next
The Silvertips have another big weekend with Brandon and Swift Current in town Saturday and Sunday.
Brandon sold big at the deadline, but still has the third-best winning percentage in the WHL. The trouble is that the top two teams – Swift Current and Moose Jaw – are in the same division.
Swift Current added a ton at the deadline as the Broncos hope to chase down Moose Jaw for the East Division title, the Scotty Munro Trophy and the Eastern Conference championship.
For the latest Silvertips news follow Jesse Geleynse on Twitter.
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