KENNEWICK — The Everett Silvertips are thankful Carter Hart is back.
Hart finished with 43 saves as the Tips defeated the Tri-City Americans 3-0 on Thanksgiving Eve at the Toyota Center.
It was Hart’s 22nd career shutout as he moved past Leland Irving into first place all alone in shutouts in franchise history. Hart, the reigning WHL Goaltender of the Week, is four back of the WHL record set by Vancouver’s Tyson Sexsmith from 2005-09.
Hart was at his best in the third period as the Americans fired 18 shots at Hart to just five for the Americans. Tri-City finished with a 43-27 shot advantage despite playing without 2017 NHL first-round draft picks Michael Rasmussen and Juuso Valimaki.
The Tips (11-12-1-1, 24 points) moved back into a wild card playoff spot with the victory though Prince George has a game in hand and Seattle has three games in hand. Everett has won six of its last 10 and has points in seven of those contests.
Forward Akash Bains, acquired Tuesday via trade with Red Deer, made his Everett debut Wednesday. The Tips remained without Sean Richards (suspension) and Connor Dewar (upper body injury). Consequently the Tips dressed just 11 forwards to go along with seven defensemen.
Everett took a 2-0 lead into the first intermission. The Tips pushed the lead to 3-0 on a power-play goal from Bryce Kindopp at 12:13. It was Everett’s second straight game with a power-play goal after struggling for several weeks on the man advantage.
The Silvertips wasted little time jumping in front of the Americans. Kevin Davis took advantage of a turnover in the neutral zone and flicked a backhanded shot past Beck Warm for a 1-0 lead at 2:57 in the first period.
Martin Fasko-Rudas pushed it to 2-0 at 8:59 when Matt Fonteyne stole a pass and found Fasko-Rudas in the slot for his first career WHL goal.
The Silvertips continue their busy week when they play host to the Spokane Chiefs Friday at 7:35 p.m. at Xfinity Arena. The Vancouver Giants come to Everett Saturday at 7:05 p.m.
Silvertips 3, Americans 0
Everett 2 1 0 – 3
Tri-City 0 0 0 – 0
1st Period-1, Everett, Davis 4 2:57. 2, Everett, Fasko-Rudas 1 (Fonteyne), 8:59. Penalties-Krebs Tc (interference), 6:16.
2nd Period-3, Everett, Kindopp 5 (Centazzo, Bajkov), 12:13 (PP). Penalties-Bjorklund Tc (tripping), 6:16; Ormsby Evt (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 9:16; Olson Tc (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 9:16; Geekie Tc (roughing), 10:20; Bajkov Evt (charging), 19:04.
3rd Period- No Scoring.Penalties-Fonteyne Evt (high sticking), 12:29; Centazzo Evt (roughing), 19:32; Coghlan Tc (slashing, major-cross checking, game misconduct), 19:32; James Tc (10-minute misconduct), 19:32; Topping Tc (10-minute misconduct), 19:32.
Shots on Goal-Everett 11-14-2-27. Tri-City 12-10-21-43.
Power Play Opportunities-Everett 1 / 4; Tri-City 0 / 2.
Goalies-Everett, Hart 6-3-0-1 (43 shots-43 saves). Tri-City, Warm 7-3-0-0 (27 shots-24 saves).
A-3,054
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