SPOKANE – The Everett Silvertips clinched a Western Hockey league playoff berth in convincing fashion Wednesday night, dominating the Spokane Chiefs 6-2.
Karel Hromas, Zach Sim, Randy King, Curtis Billsten, Brady Calla and Torrie Wheat scored goals and Alex Leavitt added three assists as Everett (30-25-8-2) assured itself its second straight playoff appearance.
Michael Wall made 22 saves to earn the win in goal for the Silvertips, who pulled into a tie for second in the U.S. Division with Portland. Both teams have seven games remaining. Everett also won the season series against Spokane 7-2-1.
Derek Ryan and Chris Bruton scored goals for Spokane (23-33-8-2), which remained two points behind Tri-City in the race for the division’s final playoff spot.
After the teams traded early goals, Everett scored five straight to turn the game into a laugher. Sim broke the 1-1 tie with a power-play goal at 8 minutes, 8 seconds of the first period. He blasted a shot from the point and although Spokane goaltender Jim Watt got a piece of it, he couldn’t keep it out.
King increased Everett’s lead to 3-1 with a minute remaining in the first, putting a shot from the point through traffic and past Watt.
Everett then put the game out of reach 32 seconds into the second period. Kyle Annesley made a nice move in the corner before sending a pass out front to Billsten, who scored his 12th goal of the season to make it 4-1.
Calla made it 5-1 at 2:42 of the third period, scoring from a tight angle and chasing Watt from the game. Kevin Opsahl took Watt’s place. Wheat scored his 13th of the season on a five-on-three power play at 13:19 to make it 6-1.
Silvertips 6, Chiefs 2
Everett312-6
Spokane101-2
First Period-1, Everett, Hromas 14 (Wheat, Leavitt), 1:12. 2, Spokane, Ryan 13 (Gladue, Watt), 2:43. 3, Everett, Sim 2 (Hamill, Love), 8:03 (pp). 4, Everett, King 2 (Leavitt, Baranka), 19:00.
Second Period-5, Everett, Billsten 12 (Annesley), 0:32.
Third Period-6, Everett, Calla 10 (Harty), 2:42. 7, Everett, Wheat 23 (Leavitt, Harty), 13:19 (pp). 8, Spokane, Bruton 10 (Mercer, Hobson), 18:00 (pp).
Shots on goal-Everett 9-12-6-27. Spokane 6-5-13-24. Power-play opportunities-Everett 2 of 6. Spokane 1 of 4.
Goalies-Everett, Wall 22-20-7 (24 shots, 22 saves). Everett, Watt 19-28-4 (23 shots, 18 saves), Opsahl (4 shots, 3 saves).
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
