Silvertips’ offense struggles in 3-1 loss

EVERETT – This time the effort and execution were there.

Unfortunately for the Everett Silvertips, the goals were still missing.

The Everett offense continued its struggles Sunday night as the Silvertips lost 3-1 to the Portland Winter Hawks in Western Hockey League play.

Before a crowd of 3,546 at the Everett Events Center, the Silvertips (13-13-4-1) played much better than the previous night’s 4-0 loss to Seattle. However, other than Jovan Matic’s goal early in the second period, the Tips were unable to find the back of the net.

“We came off a difficult loss and after that second goal went in, I think our team kind of let up a little bit, which we shouldn’t have,” Matic said. “Our power play the last couple games hasn’t been up to par and we have to turn that around in order to win some games.”

Portland’s Brandon Dubinsky set up the go-ahead goal just 14 seconds into the third period, then scored the insurance goal with 6:52 remaining in the game as Portland (16-13-3-0) handed Everett back-to-back home losses for the first time this season.

“We had a pretty good string of consistency going in terms of not letting ourselves lose two in a row,” Everett coach Kevin Constantine said. “But we didn’t think we’d go the whole year and not lose back-to-back somewhere along the way. We’ve got to start to put another string of consistencey together.

“But I thought we were quite a bit better tonight in terms of work ethic.”

Unlike against Seattle, Everett was able to generate quality scoring chances throughout the game. And the Silvertip power play was light years ahead of where it was Saturday.

But despite the improvement, Everett struggled to find a way past Portland goalie Krister Toews, going 0-for-6 on the power play, and Dubinsky made them pay in the third period.

First, with the score tied 1-1, Dubinsky won a face off in the left circle going forward, made one quick move, then centered to Dan Da Silva. Da Silva redirected the puck in at the far post past Everett goalie Michael Wall to give the Winter Hawks the lead.

“It’s just something I’ve been doing ever since I was playing Pee-Wees,” Dubinsky said about the unusual play. “I had a buddy back at home that was on my line for quite a few years and we kind of did it. Now I’ve been playing with Dan Da Silva all year, we kind of know where each other is on the ice and it’s just something we have planned once in a while to try to catch a team off guard and get a goal.”

Said Constantine: “Last night we gave up a goal the first shift of the second period and tonight we gave up (a goal on the) first shift of the third. Those are tough because beginning and ends of periods are such momentum swings because you have to sit on those things the rest of the period. So that was a tough one to give up.”

Dubinsky then put the game away at 13:08. He skated in on goal from the left and his first shot was saved by Wall. However, Dubinsky reached for the rebound, then slipped it past Wall’s skate at the near post to make it 3-1.

“I think we played real well, especially for it being three in three nights,” said Dubinsky, whose team came away with three wins. “The guys worked hard and took some passion in trying to get six points out of the weekend and we were fortunate enough to do that. Obviously there were a few times during the game where we were on our heels, but for the most part we came out with fire and stole one away from them.”

Toews finished with 21 saves. Wall made 22 saves.

Everett took the lead at 4:57 of the second period. Torrie Wheat beat his defender to the puck in the left corner, drifted behind the net, then fired it in front for Matic, who put it under Toews to make it 1-0. It was Matic’s fifth goal of the season.

Everett had a golden opportunity to make it 2-0 seven minutes later when Portland was caught in a line change, presenting Everett with a two-on-one situation. However, Toews made a good save, changing directions to deflect Martin Ruzicka’s attempt.

Portland then tied the game with a power-play goal at 16:03. Richie Regehr wound up and fired a shot from the left slot that Wall was able to deflect. But Brian Woolger, set up in front, was able to poke the rebound in as he fell to the ice, making it 1-1.

Slap shots: Despite the Silvertips being shut out 4-0 by Seattle, more than 10,000 teddy bears were tossed onto the ice Saturday night at the Everett Events Center during the Silvertips’ first annual Teddy Bear Toss. The bears are distributed to local hospitals and the Christmas House. … Portland played spoiler in Spokane on Saturday night much the same way Seattle played spoiler in Everett. Just as Seattle shut out Everett on its teddy bear night, Portland shut out Spokane 2-0 on the Chiefs’ teddy bear night, depriving the home fans the chance to toss their bears onto the ice for a home goal.