The Everett Silvertips hold light practice in anticipation of Friday’s game against the Victoria Royals

Published 6:55 pm Thursday, March 17, 2016

The Everett Silvertips held a short ice session today before Friday’s regular-season home finale against Victoria.

It has been an interesting dynamic the past few days after the Tips saw their faint hopes of retaining the U.S. Division title expire with Seattle’s win over Spokane on Tuesday. And with Victoria wrapping up the B.C. Division and Scotty Munro Trophy neither team has much to play for this weekend other than pride.

I suppose both teams will want to remain as sharp as possible prior to beginning postseason play next week, but I have to think some regulars might get a little more rest than normal. The Tips called up 15-year-old Brett Kemp today and I suspect he’ll play this weekend although I don’t know that for sure.

Thursday’s skate went for about an hour. Afterward Dawson Leedahl skated on his own and Riley Sutter donned a red jersey for some time on the ice. I wouldn’t anticipate either of them playing this weekend, but it does seem that the two are eyeing a return for the postseason.

Tristen Pfeifer was not at practice and neither was Carter Hart. There was no new information about Hart and we’ll continue to keep an eye on that.

In other news, Auston Matthews held at No. 1 and Tyler Jost at No. 14 in Damien Cox’s latest NHL draft projections.