Opponent: Spokane Chiefs
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Spokane Arena
Radio: KRKO (1380 AM)
Scouting report
Everett finds itself in the unfamiliar position of third place in the U.S. Division. The Silvertips (29-25-8-2, 68 points), who have been in second most of the season, fell two points behind Portland after the Winter Hawks defeated Seattle 5-3 Sunday. However, Everett has eight games remaining in the season to Portland’s seven as the teams battle for home-ice advantage in what is a likely first-round playoff series. Everett can clinch a playoff spot with a victory tonight.
Meanwhile, Spokane (23-32-8-2, 56 points) is in dire straits. The Chiefs find themselves in last place in the division, two points behind Tri-City for the final playoff berth, and are 3-7 in their past 10. Everett leads the season series 6-2-1.
Nineteen-year-old center Chad Klassen (27 goals, 36 assists) has led Spokane’s offense all season. Eighteen-year-old left wing Ned Lukacevic (18 goals, 27 assists), 19-year-old left wing Jeff Lynch (21 goals, 23 assists) and 18-year-old center Derek Ryan (12 goals, 30 assists) are Spokane’s supporting options. Eighteen-year-old goaltender Jim Watt is 19-27-4 with a 2.85 goals against average and .906 save percentage.
On the Everett injury front, centers Zach Hamill (ankle) and Mark Kress (arm) participated in practice Tuesday, but are still listed as day-to-day.
Around the WHL: Everett dropped two spots to 12th in this week’s Western Major Junior Hockey Writers Association poll. Kelowna remained in the top slot, taking 15 of the 16 first-place votes. Kootenay held onto second and Brandon, which received the other first-place vote on the strength of its 15-game winning streak, moved up to third. … Seattle goaltender Bryan Bridges was named the WHL Player of the Week for Feb. 28-Mar. 6. Bridges surrendered just one goal in two starts, including a 2-0 shutout of Everett. … Kelowna defenseman Shea Weber, one of the premier players in the league, is expected to miss three to six weeks with a knee injury he sustained Saturday against Vancouver.
Nick Patterson, Herald Writer
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