EVERETT — The Everett Silvertips are fresh off a three-game weekend in which they earned five out of a possible six points in the standings.
Naturally they have no time to bask in that accomplishment.
The Tips are back at it tonight at 7:05 p.m. as they take on the Spokane Chiefs at Spokane Arena.
This marks Everett’s final trip to Spokane this season. The Tips play host to the Chiefs once more on Sunday at 4:05 p.m. at Angel of the Winds Arena.
Everett boasts a 5-2-1 record against Spokane this season. The Tips have won the last two games at Spokane Arena and are 2-2 overall on the road against the Chiefs.
The Chiefs (33-20-3-2, 71 points) beat Seattle 5-1 on Sunday and remain one of the WHL’s hottest teams. Spokane has won three straight and is 7-1-2 in its last 10 games including a 2-1 overtime victory at Everett on Feb. 9.
Spokane’s last regulation loss? A 3-2 home loss to Everett on Feb. 11.
The Chiefs are third in the U.S. Division, but trail second-place Portland by just three points. Both Spokane and Portland have two games in hand on the Tips.
Meanwhile, Everett (38-17-2-3, 81 points) continues to lead the U.S. Division and controls its own destiny with a seven-point lead over the Winterhawks. The Tips have lost just once in regulation in their past 19 games and are 15-1-1-2 in that span.
Spokane winger Kailer Yamamoto had two goals and an assist in Sunday’s 5-1 win at Seattle and has 14 goals and 23 assists in 16 games since returning from the World Junior Championship.
Other key offensive performers for Spokane include Jaret Anderson-Dolan (34 goals, 42 assists), Hudson Elynuik (24 goals, 47 assists) and draft-eligible defenseman Ty Smith (10 goals, 48 assists).
Several Everett players are looking to break various records tonight. Forward Patrick Bajkov is tied with Tyler Maxwell for the franchise career goal record at 107, while defenseman Kevin Davis will break Shane Harper’s franchise games played record at Spokane.
Goaltender Carter Hart needs one shutout to break the WHL record of 26 that he currently shares with former Vancouver Giants netminder Tyson Sexsmith.
Bajkov (28 goals, 58 assists) leads the Western Conference in assists and is second in the conference with 86 points.
The Tips play at Vancouver Friday and at Seattle Saturday before Sunday’s home game against the Chiefs.
For the latest Silvertips news follow Jesse Geleynse on Twitter.
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