1. Power play still a work in progress: Everett’s power play woes continued on Sunday, as the Silvertips converted 1-for-8 chances into goals with the man-advantage in the win against the Winterhawks. The Silvertips were 2-for-16 on the weekend.
It’s hard to blame Everett for being a bit rusty.
“We haven’t worked (on our) power play once,” Everett head coach Dennis Williams said. “You saw we were able to get a couple goals this weekend, but we have to clean that up. We talked about devising groups (this week), systems off that and putting a little play into our special teams, because that’s a big part of the game.”
The Silvertips conducted just one skate with Connor Dewar, Riley Sutter, Jake Christiansen and Wyatte Wylie all back from their respective NHL camps. All four will be integral members of the Silvertips power-play units.
Conversely, the Silvertips killed 11-of-12 penalties over the first three games.
2. Hungry like Dustin Wolf: It may have been because of fresh legs at the start of the season or because of the upcoming five days without a game, but Williams sent 17-year-old goaltender for the third time in three nights. To me, this is confirmation to something we already know: The Silvertips are totally bought in for Wolf cementing himself between the pipes for years to come.
The Tustin, California native made several key saves that prevented the game from getting out of hand on Sunday, many of which flashed his dexterity and athleticism. There were several odd-man rushes that were snuffed out by Wolf, and his acumen disallowed the Winterhawks from pouring on more than just the one goal on Sunday.
3. Glass desperately needed in PDX: Portland center Cody Glass is still in camp with the Las Vegas Golden Knights, but the Winterhawks could really use his services now.
The Winterhawks looked short-handed and short of answers on the offensive end. Overager Joachim Blichfeld, a Sharks prospect, and Jake Gricius had moments, but the Winterhawks, especially from midway through the second period on, resembled a young team seeking a boost from a veteran. Seventeen-year-old Jaydon Dureau and 16-year-old Seth Jarvis had moments, but overall, it wasn’t enough.
Glass, the sixth-overall pick in the 2017 NHL Draft, compiled 102 points last season.
Quotable
Connor Dewar on Sunday’s win: “We just tried to keep it simple. (Playing a) three-on-three is a trying process, we just tried to play a simpler game.”
… On upcoming game at Tri-City: “We’re going to get our ass in the rink with some good practice days.”
… On offensive eruption in second: “It’s nice. It kind of saves us from a miserable practice week.”
Wyatte Wylie: “I think when we play games on Sunday, it’s more of a mental game than a physical one. We came together in the second period and we held on.”
… On second period: “We have some young guys that are just starting out their careers and once they get comfortable they’re going to get out and start producing for us. That’s what happening. We’re coming together as a team. It’s good.”
… On chemistry: “The start of the season everything is difficult because you’re working with different guys, but you have to keep your mind open to different players and work with everybody. As soon as it comes together it will be pretty special.”
Head coach Dennis Williams: “(It’s a) credit to our guys,” Williams said. “We had (Jalen) Price play his first game, which was good and nice to see a lot of positives from a lot of guys. It was nice to see Berzowski scored that game-winner for us as a (2002-born). It’s not easy playing three-and-three, and with unlimited forward in the lineup. … It’s something that we need to keep battling through, but credit to our guys.”
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