Silvertips top rival T-birds for 4th consecutive victory

U.S. Division-leading Everett beats Seattle 2-1 for its 2nd straight win at the ShoWare Center in Kent.

KENT — The Everett Silvertips went nearly two full calendar years without a win at ShoWare Center.

The Tips have now won two straight.

Garrett Pilon scored the game-winner early in the third period as the Tips defeated the Seattle Thunderbirds 2-1 before 5,452 fans Saturday in Kent.

“It’s really big, especially with these guys maybe being someone we can meet (in the postseason),” Pilon said. “I think it’s kind of a big thing that we can come into this barn and get some wins.”

The U.S. Division-leading Tips (41-17-2-3, 87 points) have won four in a row and have points in 11 straight games. Seattle (28-24-7-2, 65 points) has lost eight of nine though the T-birds currently occupy the No. 8 seed in the playoff race.

The Tips and T-birds would square off in the first round if the postseason began today.

Everett finished with a 39-24 shot advantage and the coaching staff was pleased after what the Tips turned in what was characterized as sub-par effort in a 2-1 win at Vancouver Friday.

“I thought our response was good and I thought we skated well tonight,” head coach Dennis Williams said. “I thought in the offensive zone we had some great creativity and some great opportunities. … If you’re getting those looks you’ll take those as coaches.”

Pilon broke a 1-1 tie when he walked in from the right circle and beat Hughes with a backhanded flick that trickled over the goal line for Everett’s only lead of the game at 2:44 in the third.

“I wish I could say we taught him that move, but we didn’t,” Williams said. “That’s just hockey instincts and skill-set taking over. That was one heck of a play.”

It was Pilon’s 32nd goal of the season and his 14th since coming over in a January trade with Kamloops.

“I think we played closer to a full 60 (minutes),” Pilon said. “Even when we maybe didn’t have full offensive zone all the time I think we played good defense and I thought we controlled the play down low. That was something (the coaches) were kind of preaching beforehand against Vancouver that we didn’t really execute. So it was kind of nice to come in here and skate and have lots of puck control.”

Trailing 1-0 after one period, Connor Dewar drew the Tips even at 11:25 with a quick wrister from below the left circle.

Dewar’s game-tying goal caused great consternation for the T-birds as it came seconds after they felt a slashing penalty should have been called on Everett.

“(The officials) tried to say it was a slash low on the stick, which the guy’s stick broke in half so I don’t know how that can happen,” Seattle coach Matt O’Dette said. “They’re always going to cover their (butts). That’s what they do.”

It remained 1-1 after two periods.

The T-birds struck first when Nolan Volcan tapped a behind-the-net feed from Noah Philp past Carter Hart at the right post for a 1-0 lead at 14:18 in the opening period.

Seattle took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission despite Everett’s 14-8 shot advantage.

“We were down 1-0, but it felt like it should have been the other way,” Williams said. “That’s how the game goes sometimes. I definitely liked our response with the travel in playing a good, sound, disciplined road hockey game.”

Hart saved 23 of the 24 shots he saw to earn the win in net for Everett.

Hughes finished with 37 saves on Everett’s 39 shots.

The Tips were 0-for-4 on the power play while Seattle was 0-for-1.

The Tips return to action at 4:05 p.m. Sunday when they play host to the Spokane Chiefs at Angel of the Winds Arena.

For the latest Silvertips news follow Jesse Geleynse on Twitter.

Silvertips 2, Thunderbirds 1

Everett 0 1 1 — 2

Seattle 1 0 0 — 1

1st Period—1, Seattle, Volcan 26 (Philp, Neuls), 14:18. Penalties—Lee Sea (high sticking), 11:11.

2nd Period—2, Everett, Dewar 32 (Bajkov, Fonteyne), 11:35. Penalties—Lee Sea (interference), 8:17; Wedman Sea (slashing), 12:53; Richards Evt (roughing), 17:26; Sutter Evt (roughing), 17:26; Walker Evt (roughing), 17:26; Andrusiak Sea (roughing), 17:26; Ottenbreit Sea (roughing), 17:26; Philp Sea (roughing), 17:26.

3rd Period—3, Everett, Pilon 31 (Dewar), 2:44. Penalties—Tyszka Sea (delay of game), 5:53; Bajkov Evt (slashing), 8:49; Dewar Evt (roughing), 18:10; Strand Sea (roughing), 18:10.

Shots on Goal—Everett 14-13-12-39. Seattle 8-3-13-24.

Power Play Opportunities—Everett 0 / 4; Seattle 0 / 1.

Goalies—Everett, Hart 26-4-1-3 (24 shots-23 saves). Seattle, Hughes 10-10-4-1 (39 shots-37 saves).

A—5,452

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Storm suffocates Valkyries late to knock off rivals

The Storm allowed just six points in the final six minutes to defeat Golden State 67-58.

Caitlin Clark to miss WNBA All-Star Game after injury

Caitlin Clark is sitting out of the WNBA All-Star Game festivities. The… Continue reading

Chiefs’ Rice sentenced in 2024 crash, NFL suspension looms

Kansas City Chiefs receiver Rashee Rice has been sentenced to five years… Continue reading

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver speaks during a news conference following a meeting of the NBA's board of governors at the Thomas & Mack Center on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in Las Vegas. (Chase Stevens / Las Vegas Review-Journal / Tribune News Services)
NBA to conduct ‘in-depth analysis’ of possible expansion

The owners do not have timetable for potential return of Sonics

Seahawks rookie safety Nick Emmanwori (3) practices at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton on May 20, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Edwin Hooper / Seattle Seahawks)
Seahawks draft pick at the center of NFL contract intrigue

Nick Emmanwori is poised to be dynamic. Right away. He’s on his… Continue reading

Kyle Schwarber (12) of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts after hitting three home runs in the swing-off to decide the MLB All-Star Game at Truist Park on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in Atlanta. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images/TNS)
MLB All-Star Game features a first-of-its-kind finish

Technically, by the time the clock hit midnight here in… Continue reading

Cal Raleigh wins 2025 MLB Home Run Derby

Cal Raleigh called his shot years ago. In a childhood video spreading… Continue reading

Silvertips forward Shea Busch participates in the Florida Panthers development camp at Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on July 1, 2025. Florida selected Busch in the fourth round of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft on June 28. (Photo courtesy Shea Busch)
Shea Busch experiences whirlwind NHL Draft week

The Florida Panthers selected the Silvertips forward in the fourth round on June 28.

Portland Fire unveil name, branding as WNBA’s 15th team

A flame is being reignited for Portland’s new WNBA franchise. On Tuesday,… Continue reading

Late Mystics surge dooms Storm as stars struggle

Seattle dropped to 13-9 after shooting 36.2% from the field.

Jorge Polanco (7), right, of the Seattle Mariners celebrates his ninth inning home run with J.P. Crawford (3) while playing the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on Sunday, July 13, 2025, in Detroit. (Gregory Shamus / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Mariners sweep Tigers on way to All-Star break

The Detroit Tigers still have the best record in baseball,… Continue reading

Mariners select LSU pitcher with No. 3 pick in MLB draft

College baseball’s best pitcher is coming to the Emerald City. The Seattle… Continue reading

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.