Tips are down, but have plenty of fight left

  • John Sleeper / Herald Writer
  • Sunday, April 25, 2004 9:00pm
  • Sports

EVERETT – Much of the reason the surprising Everett Silvertips have reached Game 6 of the WHL’s Western Conference finals is the standard they have spent all season perfecting.

Work relentlessly, never back down, never stop competing. Good things, then, can happen.

The first-year Silvertips haven’t played flawless hockey in this increasingly interesting series against the defending WHL champion Rockets. But neither have they put forth any less than an all-out effort. When a team is made up of players that other teams didn’t want, that’s the way it has to be to get into the position Everett has reached.

“That’s the intention of laying a body on them every night,” Silvertips captain Brian Nathe, whose fluke shot Saturday night got past Kelowna goalie Kelly Guard in overtime for a 1-0 victory and pulled Everett into a 3-2 deficit in the best-of-seven series. “Hopefully, we’re wearing them down.”

Game 6 is tonight at the Everett Events Center. Game 7, if necessary, is Tuesday at Kelowna.

The Silvertips had every reason to pack it up during Saturday’s Game 5. They had lost three straight to the Rockets, including the last two at the Everett Events Center. Few Everett followers could have been dissatisfied had Kelowna found a way to close out the series at Prospera Place. Yet, the Silvertips showed early they wouldn’t go down quietly, matching the Rockets hit for hit and taking the game into overtime.

“You just kind of put on your equipment and go out and play,” Nathe said. “You play your heart out and whatever happens, happens and hope for the best. (Saturday night) we got a lucky bounce and they tripped up.”

The first period Saturday was crucial, Silvertips Kevin Constantine said.

“Maybe we won that game because we showed up with an attitude that we’re not just going to roll over and die; we’re going to fight for this thing,” he said. “In the first period, we did fight for it and we played a reasonably good first.

“But this team’s history says that that’s the way we’re going to play. At 0-4-1, we could have quit during the year. Most people didn’t pick us to win the first round … I think most people picked Vancouver in the next round. These guys have never looked at things like, ‘Well, it says on paper that we’re supposed to lose, so let’s go lose.’ They’ve always said the opposite.”

They’ve had to. This isn’t the Detroit Red Wings. It’s an expansion team. And to survive each game, it’s had to make up for certain shortcomings with whatever positives they bring to the ice.

“We’ve always said to ourselves that, because we don’t necessarily have the top skill guys in the league, there are a number of other things we have to do well to have a chance,” Constantine said. “One is outstanding goaltending. We’ve always said work ethic. And we’ve always said discipline. And if those three core things aren’t there, it’s difficult for us to win.

“There are other teams that could be missing those on a given night and maybe win a 6-4 game, but we don’t think we can.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Monroe's Halle Keller drives past Meadowdale's Payton Fleishman during a Feb. 14, 2025 3A District 1 playoff game at Meadowdale High School. (Qasim Ali / The Herald)
Last-second layup powers Monroe past Mavs

The Bearcats staged a 50-49 road upset in a district playoff clash.

Shorecrest’s Cassie Chesnut leaps in the air to block a shot by Shorewood’s Bridget Cox during the 3A district playoff game on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Shorecrest girls win rubber match against Shorewood

Cassie Chesnut’s 28 points, 18 rebounds pushes the Scots to District 1 3A semifinals with 53-38 win.

Freshman leads Jackson to 4A district swim title

Syunta Lee sets two meet records as Timberwolves edge Lake Stevens.

Shorecrest wins 3A district swim title

Snohomish’s Torsten Hokanson sets two meet records and leads two winning relays.

Snohomish’s Kendall Hammer yells in celebration with teammate Snohomish’s Sienna Capelli after she makes a shot and is fouled during the game on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep basketball roundup for Friday, Feb. 14

Snohomish, Stanwood girls cruise into district semis.

Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for Feb. 2-8

The Athlete of the Week nominees for Feb. 2-8. Voting closes at… Continue reading

Mountlake Terrace’s Svayjeet Singh leaps in the air after the basketball during the 3A district loser-out playoff game against Snohomish on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish upsets Mountlake Terrace for first playoff win in 11 years

Bryson Wheat scored 25 in Panthers’ 49-43 win to advance to the District 1 Boys 3A quarterfinals

Julio Rodríguez (left) and manager Dan Wilson (right) of the Seattle Mariners react after the game against the Oakland Athletics at T-Mobile Park on Sept. 27, 2024, in Seattle, Washington. (Steph Chambers / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Dan Wilson begins first spring training as M’s manager

An anxious eagerness to get through the first of… Continue reading

Marysville Getchell junior Bubba Palocol reverses directions while dribbling against Arlington during a playoff matchup at Arlington High School on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, in Arlington, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Prep basketball roundup for Thursday, Feb. 13

Marysville Getchell, Lakewood boys each earn district wins

Kenneth Walker III runs with against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Dec. 1, 2024. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Seahawks)
Seahawks hire run game coach

Justin Outten added to staff as Mike Macdonald continues attempts to bolster rushing attack.

Balanced scoring attack leads Gonzaga

Zags take over second place in WCC with 88-77 win over USF.

Shorewood senior Bridget Cox (11) elevates to get a shot over Everett senior Aimelie Hovde-Girard (21) in Shorewood's 41-30 win in the opening round of the District 1 3A Girls Tournament on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Shorewood girls basketball avoids Everett upset bid in 41-30 win

Glasser’s ‘dagger’ 3 caps second-half run, pushes No. 5 Stormrays to 3A District 1 Quarterfinals

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.