Silvertips’ Andrew Petruk (26) fights for the puck during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Victoria Royals at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Silvertips’ Andrew Petruk (26) fights for the puck during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Victoria Royals at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Some good, some bad for Silvertips in season-opening split

Everett was missing three key players over the weekend but significantly outshot its two opponents.

The Everett Silvertips made their first impressions last weekend, and in typical fashion there were things to like and things that could use refinement.

Everett opened the 2023-24 WHL season over the weekend, beating the Victoria Royals 5-3 Saturday night and losing to the Spokane Chiefs 4-1 Sunday evening, both at Angel of the Winds Arena. And Everett coach Dennis Williams found both positives and negatives from the season-opening split.

“Like anything this time of year, there were a lot of positives to pull out of it, and also some things that need improvement,” Williams said. “That’s what we expect this time of year. It was exciting on Saturday to get that first win, the first one is always a hard one. The second game we had some good looks, we just have to bury more chances to create some separation. Credit their goalie, he played well.”

Everett was treated to what on paper looked like a kind start to the season, with home games against the only two Western Conference teams that didn’t make the playoffs last season. Countering that was the fact Everett was missing three key players — forwards Austin Roest (Nashville) and Ben Hemmerling (Vegas) and defenseman Kaden Hammell (Seattle) — who were away at NHL training camps, while Victoria and Spokane each had just one player still with their NHL teams.

Everett had a significant shot advantage in both games, outshooting Victoria 49-27 and Spokane 37-25. Those numbers suggest the Tips carried much of the play in both contests. But Spokane goaltender Dawson Cowan produced a 36-save effort Sunday, while the Tips also hurt themselves with costly turnovers.

“We had a lot of opportunities on our power play in both games,” Williams said. “On Sunday we didn’t capitalize on our power plays and they capitalized on theirs. That was the difference from Saturday when we had three power-play goals and killed off all of Victoria’s, while the next night Spokane had two power-play goals and we had none. Special teams are so important at this level, even if you don’t score you can change the mindset of the opponent if you create quality chances.

“I also think we did a good job getting pucks to the net, but I would have liked to have seen more traffic in front and screening of the goalie,” Williams added. “So we’ll be working on getting to the blue paint more.”

Spokane was the only U.S. Division team to come away from the opening weekend with four points. The other five teams are all tied for second with two points.

Three stars of the week

Third star: Julius Miettinen. The rookie 17-year-old Finnish forward not only scored a goal in his WHL debut Saturday against Victoria, it was Everett’s first goal of the season.

Second star: Dominik Rymon. The 19-year-old forward had a goal and an assist against Victoria. The assist came when he did well to keep the puck in the offensive zone on the power play and threaded a pass through skates and sticks, and the goal was a 180-foot empty netter that sealed the game.

First star: Teague Patton. The 20-year-old forward, acquired in the offseason from Victoria, had a goal and an assist against his former team in the opener. He fired off 11 shots on goal in the contest.

The week ahead

Everett’s homestand to begin the season continues this weekend with games against the Wenatchee Wild on Friday and the Kamloops Blazers on Saturday, both at Angel of the Winds Arena.

Wenatchee (1-1-0-0), the newest member of the U.S. Division after relocating from Winnipeg, will not be coming with former Everett coach Kevin Constantine. Constantine, hired by the Wild as head coach this offseason, was suspended by the WHL while the league conducts an investigation into allegations of improper conduct. It’s also unknown whether star forwards Zach Benson (36 goals, 62 assists last season), Matthew Savoie (38 goals, 57 assists) and Connor Geekie (35 goals, 42 assists), all first-round NHL draft picks, will be back from NHL training camps.

Kamloops (0-0-1-0) is a far different team from the one that hosted the Memorial Cup last season, with seven of last season’s top nine scorers moving on to the pro ranks. The other two, forwards Fraser Minten (31 goals, 36 assists) and Connor Levis (27 goals, 40 assists), remain a doubt for the weekend as they’re at NHL training camps.

Talk to us

More in Sports

Seattle Seahawks tight end Noah Fant (87) gets tackled with the ball during an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023 in Seattle. The 49ers won 31-13. (AP Photo/Ben VanHouten)
Seahawks look for a better showing against the 49ers

Coach Pete Carroll felt the team wasn’t prepared for the rivals’ matchup two weeks ago.

Arlington sophomore wrestler Tre Haines grabs the leg of his teammate during practice on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Arlington wrestlers aim for more postseason success

The Eagles feature a standout trio of state placers from last season, including a state champion and runner-up.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, Dec. 7

Prep results for Thursday, Dec. 7: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: Report results and… Continue reading

The Everett Elite Flag Football 14-under team practices Sunday morning at Harbour Pointe Middle School in Mukilteo, Washington on January 16, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Community roundup: MP grad Davis earns silver with Fiji national team

Trina Davis helps Fiji women’s soccer at the Pacific Games, hammer throwers earn All-American nod, and locals take home collegiate all-league honors.

Arlington’s Dustin Baxter flexes after winning the 170 pound weight class match on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Extra time with clubs helps Arlington wrestlers Baxter, Haines excel

Before high school, Dustin Baxter and Tre Haines wrestled together on an Arlington-based club team.

Lake Stevens head coach Tom Tri hugs quarterback Kolton Matson after the Vikings’ victory against Graham-Kapowsin in the WIAA 4A Football State Championship on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Patterson: Lake Stevens reaches dynasty level with 2nd state title

The Vikings join an exclusive group of Snohomish County football history.

X
Prep roundup for Wednesday, Dec. 6

Prep results for Wednesday, Dec. 6: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: Report results and… Continue reading

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for Nov. 27-Dec. 3

The Athlete of the Week nominees for Nov. 27-Dec. 3. Voting closes… Continue reading

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, Dec. 5

Prep results for Tuesday, Dec. 5: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: Report results and… Continue reading

X
Tips show they can hang with best in split with Prince George

Everett played a pair of tight games against the WHL’s top team, despite missing some key pieces.

X
Prep roundup for Monday, Dec. 4

Prep results for Monday, Dec. 4: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: Report results and… Continue reading

Washington running back Dillon Johnson (7) celebrates with teammates after a touchdown against Oregon during the second half of the Pac-12 championship NCAA college football game Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Huskies receive No. 2 seed, face Texas in CFP semifinals

Washington gets a postseason rematch in the Sugar Bowl. Michigan gets the No. 1 seed.

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.