Silvertips beat Portland 2-1 for 6th straight win

Published 10:00 pm Friday, November 11, 2016

Herald staff

PORTLAND, Ore. — Friday was Veterans Day in the United States, and the Everett Silvertips claimed Veterans Memorial Stadium as their own with a 2-1 victory over the Portland Winterhawks before 3,065 fans in Western Hockey League action.

The U.S. Division-leading Silvertips (14-2-2-0, 30 points) never trailed while winning their sixth straight game as their strong start to the 2016-17 season continues. Portland (8-10-0-0, 16 points) has now lost nine straight and has not beaten the Tips in three matchups this season. With the victory Everett moved into a tie with Prince George atop the Western Conference.

Patrick Bajkov and Noah Juulsen each had two-point games while goaltender Carter Hart saved 23 of the 24 shots he faced for his 10th victory of the year.

Bajkov now has 16 points in his past 11 games and is tied for the team lead with eight goals. Dominic Zwerger scored a goal and now has a point in 14 of his last 15 games. Zwerger also has eight goals on the campaign.

The Tips scored the game’s first two goals. However, just like last week’s game between the teams at Xfinity Arena, a late goal from Keegan Iverson cut Everett’s lead to 2-1.

Iverson’s shot from the left circle got through traffic at 12:53 in the final period. But Hart and the Tips withstood Portland the remainder of the way.

Bajkov took advantage on Everett’s first man advantage when he beat Portland goalie Cole Kehler glove side for the game’s first goal. Noah Juulsen found Bajkov at the post and Matt Fonteyne also had an assist on the goal that gave Everett a 1-0 lead at 16:38.

That came after Silvertips withstood 5-on-3 and 5-on-4 power plays during an opening period in which Portland outshot Everett 8-6.

The Tips added to their lead early in the second period. A Juulsen shot rebounded to Zwerger in the slot and Zwerger slammed it past Kehler for the 2-0 lead. Bajkov also added an assist on the goal.

Iverson’s goal cut the lead to 2-1. But Everett rookie Orrin Centazzo drew a penalty with 2:31 to go in the game to help the Tips survive the final minutes.

Portland finished 0-for-4 on the power play while Everett was 1-for-5 on the night. The Tips outshot the Winterhawks 12-6 in the final period to finish with a 28-24 shot advantage. It was a far cry from last Saturday’s 5-2 Everett win over Portland, a game in which the Winterhawks outshot the Tips 43-29.

On Friday Kehler finished with 26 saves on 28 Everett shots.

Hart, the reigning WHL and CHL Goaltender of the Year, has allowed just six total goals in his last five games played and saw his goals-against average drop to a league-best 1.82. Hart (10-2-1-0) also boasts the league’s third-best save percentage at .929.

Everett continues its two-game road trip at Spokane tonight at 7:05.

Silvertips 2, Winterhawks 1

Everett110—2

Portland001—1

1st Period—1, Everett, Bajkov 8 (Juulsen, Fonteyne), 16:38 (PP). Penalties—Christiansen Evt (interference), 11:26; Wylie Evt (delay of game), 12:49; Hughes Por (roughing), 15:00.

2nd Period—2, Everett, Zwerger 8 (Juulsen, Bajkov), 5:07. Penalties—De Jong Por (hooking), 8:36; Sutter Evt (embellishment), 8:48; De Jong Por (checking from behind), 14:07; Christiansen Evt (holding), 17:10.

3rd Period—3, Portland, Iverson 9 (Texeira, McKenzie), 12:51. Penalties—Hughes Por (holding), 9:44; Weinger Por (slashing), 17:29.

Shots on Goal—Everett 6-10-12-28. Portland 8-10-6-24.

Power Play Opportunities—Everett 1/5; Portland 0/4.

Goalies—Everett, Hart 10-2-1-0 (24 shots-23 saves). Portland, Kehler 6-7-0-0 (28 shots-26 saves).

A—3,065