Reflections: Everett Silvertips stay hot in win over Portland

The Game

Yes, it’s only three games into the season, but this could be seen as a statement victory for the Everett Silvertips. With their 3-1 road win over the Portland Winterhawks the Tips dealt the Mike Johnston Round 2 crew its first regulation loss (including preseason) of the year. Perhaps more telling: Portland scored 14 goals in its first two regular-season victories last weekend before sneaking just one past Carter Hart Friday night.

The Tips dictated the pace of play as they held the Winterhawks to just 17 shots in the first two periods. Portland erupted for 15 shots in the third, but the Tips had the perfect tonic in Hart, the reigning WHL and CHL Goaltender of the Year.

The Tips lines were shuffled as Dominic Zwerger joined the top line with Matt Fonteyne and Patrick Bajkov, and that line produced two goals.

Eetu Tuulola returned this week from camp with the Calgary Flames and played on the second line in his first regular-season game alongside Connor Dewar and Graham Millar, who produced the game-winning goal. That pushed Sean Richards to the third line with Devon Skoleski and Brian King. I’m sure this will be something the coaching staff will continue to tinker with.

The Turning Point

Hart stopped an Evan Weinger shot from point-blank range a minute into the third period to preserve a 2-1 lead. Fonteyne scored two minutes later to give the game its final score.

Three Stars

1. Everett G Carter Hart: The Sherwood Park wunderkind saved 31 of the 32 shots he faced in his first regular-season game of the season to keep the Tips perfect. (Are you still a wunderkind when you’re 18 and a second-round NHL draft pick?)

2. Portland F Alex Overhardt: Overhardt scored Portland’s lone goal short-handed.

3. Everett F Graham Millar: The overager scored the game-winning goal on the power play with 13 seconds remaining in the second period.

The Box Score

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