PORTLAND — New lines? New goalie? No problem.
The new-look Everett Silvertips remained unbeaten on the season as they defeated the Portland Winterhawks 3-1 Friday before 4,151 fans at Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
Goaltender Carter Hart, who returned this week from Philadelphia Flyers training camp, recorded 31 saves in his regular-season debut to earn the win. He saved all 15 of Portland’s shots in the third period.
Recently acquired forward Dominic Zwerger made his Everett debut on alongside Patrick Bajkov and Matt Fonteyne on Everett’s top line, while Eetu Tuulola made his regular-season debut after returning from Calgary Flames training camp. The Tips also saw the return of defenseman Mackenzie Dwyer, who has been out since January as he recovered from a torn ACL.
Everett native Wyatte Wylie scored his first career WHL point when he assisted Patrick Bajkov’s goal in the first, and overage forward Graham Millar scored what proved the game-winner late in the second as the Tips improved to 3-0 in the young season.
Millar’s goal came on Everett’s fifth power-play opportunity with 13 seconds to go in the period. It was the fourth goal in three games for the overage forward this season and broke a 1-1 tie. Riley Sutter and Jake Christiansen assisted the goal.
Hart stoned Evan Weinger on a breakaway a minute into the third to maintain the lead, and Fonteyne added some insurance two minutes later with a shot from the bottom of the left circle to give Everett a 3-1 lead at 3:09.
Bajkov gave Everett a 1-0 lead with his first goal of the season at 8:29 in the first when he found the net with his shot through Portland goaltender Michael Bullion’s legs.
The Winterhawks tied it with a short-handed goal at 15:46 in the first when Alex Overhardt used an assist from Caleb Jones to make it 1-1.
Everett came up empty on four power-play opportunities in the first including a 5-on-3 opportunity. The Tips finished 1-for-5 on the man advantage while holding Portland to 0-for-3. Everett also held a 33-32 shot advantage.
Bullion finished with 30 saves for the Winterhawks (2-1) who were held to a single goal after scoring 14 in their opening two contests.
The Tips return to action Sunday when they travel to Kennewick for a 5:05 p.m. matchup against the Tri-City Americans at the Toyota Center.
Silvertips 3, Winterhawks 1
Everett 1 1 1 — 3
Portland 1 0 0 — 1
1st Period—1, Everett, Bajkov 1 (Wylie), 11:48. 2, Portland, Overhardt 2 (Jones), 15:48 (SH). Penalties-Skrumeda Evt (cross checking), 0:44; Jones Por (holding), 2:05; Overhardt Por (tripping), 9:24; Texeira Por (interference), 15:23; McKenzie Por (high sticking), 16:30.
2nd Period—3, Everett, Millar 4 (Christiansen, Sutter), 19:47 (PP). Penalties-Dewar Evt (hooking), 1:04; Skrumeda Evt (roughing), 17:28; Weinger Por (roughing), 17:28; Overhardt Por (tripping), 18:04.
3rd Period—4, Everett, Fonteyne 2 3:09. Penalties-Zwerger Evt (playing w/out helmet), 12:00.
Shots on Goal—Everett 16-14-3-33. Portland 7-10-15-32.
Power Play Opportunities—Everett 1 / 5; Portland 0 / 3.
Goalies—Everett, Hart 1-0-0-0 (32 shots-31 saves). Portland, Bullion 1-1-0-0 (33 shots-30 saves).
A—4,151
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