Everett Silvertips Top Tri City Americans, Only 3 Home Games Left

EVERETT, WA – The Everett Silvertips were stingy in their own zone and capitalized on their chances in a 4-1 victory over the visiting Tri-City Americans Saturday night at Comcast Arena. Everett’s third win four games solidified their hold on eighth place in the Western Conference and snapped a four-game losing streak against Tri-City.

Josh Winquist led the way with a goal and an assist for the Silvertips, extending his goal scoring streak to four straight games. Reid Petryk, Josh Birkholz and Manraj Hayer also lit the lamp for the ‘Tips, who scored three second-period goals for the second straight game. Ryan Murray recorded his 100th career point with an assist in the first period. Kent Simpson was solid again in goal with 30 saves and only one goal against.

The Silvertips found themselves shorthanded just 27 seconds into the game, but successfully killed off the penalty and then went on their own powerplay. Reid Petryk then put Everett on top when Reid Petryk fired a laser off the post and into the top corner at 5:48. Tri-City countered just under two minutes later however, as Brendan Shinnimin knocked in a rebound chance in front of Kent Simpson to even the score at one through 20 minutes.

It was just 1:03 into the second frame when the ‘Tips re-took the advantage when Josh Winquist slid past the Americans’ defense and out front before tucking the puck through Eric Comrie’s five-hole. Kohl Bauml appeared to make it 3-1 a short time later, but the whistle blew just before he backhanded a rebound into an open net and the score stayed at 2-1.

Everett built on the lead later in the period as Josh Birkholz took a pass from Winquist and sped down the right wing past Michal Plutnar and to the front, scoring on a backhand shot for his 28th goal of the year at 18:27. The Silvertips seized the momentum as the period wound down and extended their lead to 4-1when Manraj Hayer buried a Ryan Harrison pass at the goal mouth with only 15.6 seconds remaining on the clock.

The Americans tried to rally in the third, pulling their goaltender during a powerplay midway through the period and getting ten shots on net, but Kent Simpson (17-29-1-5) and the ‘Tips stood fast to finish out the 4-1 victory. Simpson has now won nine of his last 14 starts. Eric Comrie (19-6-1-1) made 27 saves as both teams finished with 31 shots on goal. Everett finished 1 for 3 on the powerplay and kept Tri-City off the board on four opportunities.

The ‘Tips will now complete their home schedule with three more games next week, starting when they host the Victoria Royals Wednesday at 7:05 pm. Everett will then face Portland Friday and Victoria again on Saturday in the home finale before finishing the regular season with their last four contests coming on the road.