Tips beat Spokane 5-2 in preseason tourney

Published 11:24 pm Thursday, September 10, 2009

KENNEWICK — Paul Van de Velde scored a hat trick, leading the Everett Silvertips to a 5-2 victory over the Spokane Chiefs on Thursday night in the Tri-City Preseason Tournament.

Everett carried a 3-0 lead into the final five minutes of the game, after a goal from Corey Tyrell and two from Van de Velde. The teams then traded goals the rest of the way, with Spokane never pulling closer than two goals.

Dale Hunt added an empty-net goal and Shane Harper had three assists for Everett, which improved to 3-1 in the preseason. Kent Simpson stopped 28 of the 30 shots he faced in goal for the Tips.

Mike Aviani and Blake Gal scored for Spokane. The Chiefs split the goaltending duties, with Alex Wright stopping seven of 10 during the first half of the game and Chase Martin stopping eight of nine in the second half.

Everett plays its second and final game at the tournament against Lethbridge at 2 p.m. today.