Silvertips go bonkers on penalty kill

Everett set a franchise record with 3 short-handed goals against Vancouver last week.

Austin Roest

Austin Roest

On Saturday night the Everett Silvertips unleashed the power kill.

Everett’s penalty-killing unit set a new franchise record when it scored three short-handed goals during the Tips’ 6-2 victory over the Vancouver Giants at Angel of the Winds Arena.

“That was really neat to be a part of,” Everett coach Dennis Williams said. “I don’t recall ever being part of a game where we scored three short-handed goals.”

Everett’s penalty kill has been limited in effectiveness this season. The Tips currently rank 14th in the 22-team WHL while short-handed, killing off just 76.8% of opposition power plays.

But against the Giants the Tips weren’t just successful in eliminating Vancouver power plays, they turned defense into offense. Each of the game’s first three goals were scored by Everett, and all three were scored while short-handed as the Tips broke on rushes and found the net during each of the Giants’ first three power plays.

The first came midway through the first period as Niko Tsakumis’ outlet pass gave Beau Courtney room to carry the puck up the ice. Courtney’s shot went wide, but Austin Roest collected the rebound off the back boards and scored past Giants goaltender Matthew Hutchison to make it 1-0.

The second came early in the second period, and again it was Roest who scored. Roest and Teague Patton raced up ice two-on-two, crossed one another as they entered the offensive zone, then Roest lifted a backhanded shot into the top corner to make it 2-0.

The final one came midway through the second. Dominik Rymon stole the puck and motored up the ice with Eric Jamieson in pursuit. Rymon’s shot was saved by Hutchison, but Jamieson shoveled in the rebound to make it 3-0.

“It’s funny because last week I talked with Mike Field, who runs our penalty kill, about changing things up,” Williams said. “I didn’t think our penalty kill had been very good the last few weeks, we’d struggled letting in about one power-play goal a game. So we actually worked on a change midweek, but it wasn’t ready to be brought in, our guys didn’t look comfortable or natural with it. So we went back to our old way, we were maybe a little more aggressive, but that was it. Maybe it was a good thing we didn’t change it.

“I think what happened was our guys were fresh,” Williams continued. “The previous week we’d played four in five, and we’ve been working with a short bench because of injuries. Maybe our lack of success on the PK was not so much due to the system, but to the tiredness of the players. If you’re going to be aggressive on the PK you really have to be all-in, or else you really have to be back in the shot-blocking lanes. Anywhere in between is where failure sets in, you kind of get caught and seams open up. I thought this weekend the guys did a really good job anticipating and jumping on loose pucks.”

Everett scored two short-handed goals in a game on many occasions during its first 20 seasons of existence, but never three. Roest also matched four other Tips (John Lammers, Kyle Beach, Daniel Bartek, Tyler Maxwell) in scoring twice in one game while on the penalty kill.

The victory over Vancouver finished off a perfect weekend for Everett, which also topped Kelowna 2-1 at home on Friday. The two victories improved the Tips’ record to 11-7-1-0, and with 23 points Everett is tied for second in the U.S. Division, two points behind leader Portland.

Three stars of the week

Third star: Jamieson. The 18-year-old defenseman had a goal and an assist against Vancouver, with his goal being the rare short-handed tally by a d-man. He also squeezed off nine shots on goal across the two games as he’s taken on added responsibilities with Kaden Hammell out injured.

Second star: Ben Hemmerling. The 19-year-old winger had a goal and two assists across the three games. He was the difference maker against Kelowna, as he set up Everett’s first goal after a steal, then scored the second on a strong move toward goal off the rush.

First star: Roest. The 19-year-old forward potted three goals in the two contests, including the two short-handers that opened the scoring against Vancouver. The three goals gave Roest 11 on the season, moving him into the team lead.

The week ahead

It’s a busy week ahead for Everett as the Tips play four games in five days.

It begins Wednesday when Everett welcomes Prince Albert to town. The Raiders (11-9-0-1) are the second East Division team to visit this season. Prince Albert is led by 20-year-old forward Sloan Stanick (six goals, 20 assists), who is a former Everett prospects draft pick, while 17-year-old forward Ryder Ritchie (11 goals, 12 assists) is considered a top prospect for the 2024 NHL draft.

Everett then plays a home-and-home against Seattle on Friday and Saturday, with the first game at Angel of the Winds and the second in Kent. The Thunderbirds (8-5-1-0) are off to a solid start despite heavy player attrition from last year’s WHL championship team. Twenty-year-old defenseman Jermey Hanzel (five goals, nine assists) is one of the few holdovers.

The week wraps up with a game at U.S. Division-leading Portland on Sunday. The Tips faced the Winterhawks (12-4-0-1) twice already this season, losing both and being outscored 9-2. Overage forward Gabe Klassen (12 goals, 19 assists) and 19-year-old defenseman Luca Cagnoni (three goals, 22 assists) pace Portland.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Monroe's Halle Keller drives past Meadowdale's Payton Fleishman during a Feb. 14, 2025 3A District 1 playoff game at Meadowdale High School. (Qasim Ali / The Herald)
Last-second layup powers Monroe past Mavs

The Bearcats staged a 50-49 road upset in a district playoff clash.

Shorecrest’s Cassie Chesnut leaps in the air to block a shot by Shorewood’s Bridget Cox during the 3A district playoff game on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Shorecrest girls win rubber match against Shorewood

Cassie Chesnut’s 28 points, 18 rebounds pushes the Scots to District 1 3A semifinals with 53-38 win.

Snohomish’s Kendall Hammer yells in celebration with teammate Snohomish’s Sienna Capelli after she makes a shot and is fouled during the game on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep basketball roundup for Friday, Feb. 14

Snohomish, Stanwood girls cruise into district semis.

Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for Feb. 2-8

The Athlete of the Week nominees for Feb. 2-8. Voting closes at… Continue reading

Mountlake Terrace’s Svayjeet Singh leaps in the air after the basketball during the 3A district loser-out playoff game against Snohomish on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish upsets Mountlake Terrace for first playoff win in 11 years

Bryson Wheat scored 25 in Panthers’ 49-43 win to advance to the District 1 Boys 3A quarterfinals

Julio Rodríguez (left) and manager Dan Wilson (right) of the Seattle Mariners react after the game against the Oakland Athletics at T-Mobile Park on Sept. 27, 2024, in Seattle, Washington. (Steph Chambers / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Dan Wilson begins first spring training as M’s manager

An anxious eagerness to get through the first of… Continue reading

Marysville Getchell junior Bubba Palocol reverses directions while dribbling against Arlington during a playoff matchup at Arlington High School on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, in Arlington, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Prep basketball roundup for Thursday, Feb. 13

Marysville Getchell, Lakewood boys each earn district wins

Kenneth Walker III runs with against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Dec. 1, 2024. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Seahawks)
Seahawks hire run game coach

Justin Outten added to staff as Mike Macdonald continues attempts to bolster rushing attack.

Balanced scoring attack leads Gonzaga

Zags take over second place in WCC with 88-77 win over USF.

Shorewood senior Bridget Cox (11) elevates to get a shot over Everett senior Aimelie Hovde-Girard (21) in Shorewood's 41-30 win in the opening round of the District 1 3A Girls Tournament on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Shorewood girls basketball avoids Everett upset bid in 41-30 win

Glasser’s ‘dagger’ 3 caps second-half run, pushes No. 5 Stormrays to 3A District 1 Quarterfinals

Prep roundup for Wednesday, Feb. 12

Terrace, Monroe girls advance in district hoops tournament.

Kimberly Beard, a Mukilteo resident who attends King's High School, prepares to release a throw during the 20-pound weight competition at George Fox University in Newberg, Ore. on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Donna Beard)
Mukilteo’s Kimberly Beard wins throwing event

The King’s High School junior won the 20-pound weight throw at a George Fox indoor meet.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.