Kindopp’s two goals elevate Silvertips to ninth straight win

EVERETT — It’s not always skill and flair that produce a goal. Sometimes it’s venturing into the dangerous areas of the ice, receiving punishing hits and potting greasy goals.

Not many players repeat that process more often than Everett’s Bryce Kindopp, and he’s been handsomely rewarded for his determination this season.

The 19-year-old forward scored with 4:26 remaining on a deflection, Dustin Wolf posted his third shutout of the season with 21 saves, and the Silvertips won their ninth consecutive game with a 2-0 victory over Spokane in Western Hockey League action Sunday at Angel of the Winds Arena.

“That was the proudest, from a coaching standpoint, win we’ve had all year,” Silvertips head coach Dennis Williams said. “I thought we competed hard and dictated play. I thought a lot of guys stepped up and played different roles and did a really good job, and when we had any breakdowns, Wolfie was solid in net.”

Kindopp potted his 12th goal of the season by posting himself right in front of Chiefs goaltender Bailey Brkin’s pad side and having a puck wristed by defenseman Wyatte Wylie at the blueline — and subsequently redirected by Reece Vitelli in the slot — ricochet off his shoulder and into the back of the net.

“It was a gross goal,” Kindopp said, “but it went in”

Kindopp is thought of as one of Everett’s most proficient players at screening and deflecting pucks while parked in front of the opposition’s goalie. It’s allowed him to tally 12 goals this season, which is second on the team behind captain Connor Dewar.

“It doesn’t take a lot of talent to get to the net front,” Williams said. “You have to be committed to getting to the net front. He’s one of our best (at getting to the net front) and in there there is a skillset of boxing out and using your stick as your leverage. But before you can even get to the skill, you have to have a want to get there. And he’s willing to pay the price and he gets rewarded for it.”

Kindopp recorded his second goal of the night by tapping in an empty-netter off a pass from Connor Dewar with 12 seconds remaining to put Everett up 2-0.

The Silvertips were thin up front, dressing just 10 forwards because of a suspension to Sean Richards and injuries to Akash Bains and Martin Fasko-Rudas.

Everett tilted the ice most of the game, out-shooting the Chiefs, 39-21.

Brkin made 39 saves for Spokane.

Richards suspended

Richards did not dress because of a suspension of to-be-determined length. The 20-year-old forward was issued a five-minute boarding major and game misconduct for a hit against Seattle on Saturday. Richards has been labeled as a repeat offender and has been suspended five times over the past two seasons.

Injury report

— Fasko-Rudas missed his second consecutive game with an upper-body injury. He left after the first period of Wednesday’s 4-2 win over Spokane after being on the receiving end of a hard neutral-ice hit courtesy of Chiefs’ defenseman Egor Arbuzov.

— Bains was scratched because of a nagging lower-body injury. He’s missed three consecutive games and has played in just six of Everett’s past 15.

Next up

The two teams meet Wednesday in Spokane, with a 7:05 p.m. puck drop.