EVERETT — It is about 5,300 miles — or 8,500 kilometers — from Innsbruck, Austria, to Xfinity Arena, ensuring that Dario Winkler’s parents, Christian and Doris, traveled the longest distance for Silvertips Parents Weekend.
Winkler capped off the weekend by making it worth their while as he scored the game-winning goal on the power play thanks to a perfect feed from Carson Stadnyk as the Tips knocked off the Tri-City Americans 3-2 before 4,512 fans on Sunday.
The victory snapped a three-game losing streak for the U.S. Division-leading Tips, whose lead over the second-place Seattle Thunderbirds slipped to three points in the standings following Saturday’s loss at the ShoWare Center in Kent.
“It was a very good feeling to get the game-winning goal and win a game again,” Winkler said. “We didn’t have (good) luck the last two games and losing in overtime. It’s a good feeling to win a game again.”
Seattle defeated Kamloops 4-3 on the road Sunday meaning Everett remains three points ahead of the T-Birds. Seattle does have a game in hand, however.
The Silvertips (36-21-4-2, 77 points) are approaching each game as a must-win as they look to fend off Seattle in search of their second consecutive division title.
“There are two ways to look at it — most coaches will tell you every game all year long is important, but we’re down to nine (games) left,” Silvertips coach Kevin Constantine said. “With Seattle three (points) behind us and a game in hand every game is a must-win at this time of year. Based on sports and based on a stretch run tonight was very important.”
Then there was the matter of salvaging a difficult week that included two overtime losses and a regulation loss to the T-Birds with a depleted squad — all with the parents in town.
Though Everett has played with a full complement of 18 skaters the last three games, the Tips are still far from healthy. Sunday the Silvertips were without defenseman Brycen Martin, who missed the final period of Saturday’s game after taking a hard check into the boards.
The Tips managed to gut out the win and are now 4-1 in Sunday games when playing their third game in three days.
“It’s hard on these three-in-threes because both teams come into it a little depleted and the bottom line is that Tri(-City) has been playing well,” Constantine said. “That to me represented that our guys cared. Caring is the first part of energy, so our guys cared enough to put everything they had into the game.”
Winkler’s re-direct of Stadnyk’s pass from the slot came at 17:15 in the third period and was the second power-play goal the Tips recorded on the seven-man advantages they received.
Every bit as crucial, however, was a four-minute penalty the Tips killed midway through the third period. Winkler was assessed a double high-sticking minor and the Tips kept the Americans, the second-leading power-play team in the league, off the board.
“That first line is dangerous and their power play is extremely dangerous,” Constantine said. “They can create offense so you’re never going to completely stop them, but I thought through most of the game we didn’t give them too much.”
The Tips were helped when Tri-City’s Brandon Carlo was whistled for high sticking 2:45 into the power play, which effectively negated the Americans’ advantage. Carlo was then called for tripping at 15:38 to set up Winkler’s game-winner.
Everett led 2-1 after the first period, but Tri-City’s Beau McCue erased the advantage when he tipped in Parker Wotherspoon’s point shot on the power play at 4:22 in the third period.
Tri-City struck first when Parker AuCoin’s wrister through traffic snuck by goaltender Carter Hart’s right pad for the 1-0 lead at 2:17 in the first.
Patrick Bajkov tied it for Everett when he skated in from the right circle, paused for the toe drag, and flicked a wrist shot past Tri-City goalie Evan Sarthou’s right pad at 7:22. Stadnyk then claimed Everett’s first lead when he took advantage of a Tri-City turnover in front of its own goal at 10:58 for the 2-1 advantage.
That was how it stayed until the third period.
“We had a tough week this week,” Stadnyk said. “Losing to Seattle (Saturday) night hurt us in the standings as they are. And to beat this team — they’re hot right now — just to do that and come out with a win against these guys is huge.”
Hart had 18 saves to earn his league-best 34th win of the season. Sarthou had 27 saves in a losing effort.
The Tips return to action Friday when they play host to Seattle at Xfinity Arena.
Silvertips 3, Tri-City 2
Tri-City 1 0 1 — 2
Everett 2 0 1 — 3
1st Period—1, Tri-City, AuCoin 4 (O’Reilly), 2:17. 2, Everett, Bajkov 16 (Fonteyne, Juulsen), 7:22 (PP). 3, Everett, Stadnyk 19 10:58. Penalties—Bowles T.c (hooking), 3:21; Sarthou T.c (delay of game), 6:59; Davis Evt (hooking), 8:46; Rayman T.c (roughing), 14:04; Stewart T.c (cross checking), 19:06.
2nd Period—No Scoring. Penalties—Carlo T.c (checking from behind), 18:12; Winkler Evt (high sticking), 18:39.
3rd Period—4, Tri-City, McCue 22 (Carlo), 4:22 (PP). 5, Everett, Winkler 6 (Stadnyk, Laurencelle), 17:15 (PP). Penalties—Skrumeda Evt (hooking), 3:03; Winkler Evt (high sticking, high sticking), 9:16; Carlo T.c (high sticking), 12:01; Carlo T.c (tripping), 15:38.
Shots on Goal—Tri-City 5-4-11-20. Everett 15-8-7-30.
Power Play Opportunities—Tri-City 1 / 5; Everett 2 / 7.
Goalies—Tri-City, Sarthou 24-26-2-0 (30 shots-27 saves). Everett, Hart 34-20-1-2 (20 shots-18 saves).
A—4,512
For the latest Silvertips news follow Jesse Geleynse on Twitter @jessegeleynse.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
