EVERETT — With both teams already locked into their respective division finishes and playoff positions, there wasn’t anything to be decided in terms of division standings in Friday’s game between the Everett Silvertips and Victoria Royals.
Yet 6,875 fans still showed up for Silvertips Fan Appreciation Night to watch the Scotty Munro Trophy-winning Royals defeat the Silvertips 4-2 at Xfinity Arena in Everett’s regular-season home finale.
The Royals (49-16-3-3, 104 points) won their 12th game in their last 13 outings while the Tips (38-24-5-3, 84 points) lost for the fourth time in their last five contests. The two teams conclude the regular season tonight beginning at 7 p.m. in Victoria.
The mood remained celebratory for Silvertips fans as the night featured appearances from former Silvertips alumni including Austin Lotz and Barry Horman. There were also video messages from Torrie Wheat and Ryan Murray, who honored billet Parker Fowlds with the first Alumni Award.
The Tips scored the game’s first goal, but the Royals scored the next three thanks to a three-point night from Tyler Soy.
Everett goalie Mario Petit, making his third straight start for the injured Carter Hart, recorded 27 saves while Victoria netminder Griffen Outhouse stopped 22 shots.
Everett took the early lead when Remi Laurencelle collected the puck in the right circle and found Carson Stadnyk in front of the net. Stadnyk knocked the pass down out of the air and beat Outhouse for the 1-0 lead at 5:34 in the first.
The Royals took the lead for good in just a 13-second first-period span. Tyler Soy potted a perfect pass from Vladimir Bobylev on the rush at 15:23, and Soy added his second goal with a slap shot from the right circle at 15:36.
Jack Walker made it 3-1 when he stationed himself at the blueline, took a pass from Soy and split the two Everett defenders before beating Petit over the right shoulder for the 3-1 lead at 1:36 in the second.
Alex Forsberg scored on an open net at 18:16 in the third to make it 4-1, but Everett’s Devon Skoleski potted a rebound of Brycen Martin’s point shot at 19:57 to give the game its final tally.
Friday marked the final regular-season home game for overagers Laurencelle, Stadnyk and Cole MacDonald. The trio was honored during the post-game award session.
Notes
The Silvertips will open the postseason at home on Friday, March 25 at 7:30. Their opponent is yet to be determined… Following the game the Tips handed out their annual team awards… The team awards included the Iron Man Award, which was shared by Matt Fonteyne and Connor Dewar. Fonteyne also took home the Most Improved Award, while Connor Dewar also won Rookie of the Year. Noah Juulsen won the Most Dedicated Player Award for the second straight year, while Tristen Pfeifer won both the Community Relations and Scholastic Player of the Year Awards. Dawson Leedahl won the Unsung Hero Award for the second straight year, and Laurencelle was the Top Scorer. Goalie Carter Hart was named the team MVP… Seven players completed their 19-year-old seasons and graduated from the junior ranks, including Martin, Lucas Skrumeda, Pfeifer, Leedahl, Brandon Ralph and Graham Millar… Laurencelle won the F.I.E.R.C.E. Predator Award, while Silvertips alumni Torrie Wheat and Brennan Sonne won the WHL Alumni professional development and scholastic awards, respectively.
For the latest Silvertips news follow Jesse Geleynse on Twitter @jessegeleynse.
Royals 4, Silvertips 2
Victoria211—4
Everett101—2
1st Period—1, Everett, Stadnyk 21 (Laurencelle), 5:34. 2, Victoria, Soy 43 (Bobylev, Walford), 15:23. 3, Victoria, Soy 44 15:36. Penalties—No Penalties
2nd Period—4, Victoria, Walker 36 (Soy, Bobylev), 1:36. Penalties—Forsberg Vic (holding), 1:52; Reddekopp Vic (charging), 6:12.
3rd Period—5, Victoria, Forsberg 31 (Reddekopp), 18:16 (EN). 6, Everett, Skoleski 9 (Martin, Ralph), 19:57. Penalties—Bajkov Evt (cross checking), 12:54.
Shots on Goal—Victoria 8-10-13-31. Everett 5-14-5-24.
Power Play Opportunities—Victoria 0/1; Everett 0/2.
Goalies—Victoria, Outhouse 17-3-3-1 (24 shots-22 saves). Everett, Petit 3-2-4-0 (30 shots-27 saves).
A—6,875
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