Silvertips Fall Again, Face Must Win Games as Playoffs Come to Everett Tuesday and Wednesday

Lincoln wants you to keep the faith and come to the Playoff games in Everet next Tuesday and Wednesday

KENNEWICK – The Tri-City Americans scored three powerplay goals in the first 26 minutes on their way to a 3-1 win over the Everett Silvertips in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series Saturday night at the Toyota Center. Tri-City leads the series 2-0 after holding serve at home as the teams shift to Everett for Games 3 and 4 on Tuesday and Wednesday at Comcast Arena.

The ‘Tips were held scoreless for nearly 59 minutes before Ryan Murray scored his second goal of the postseason to make it 3-1 late in regulation. The Americans spent 17 of the game’s first 30 minutes on the powerplay to take control and scored three times on eight chances in total. Everett went 0 for 4 on the man-advantage.

The Silvertips found themselves shorthanded for over half the first period, but trailed only 2-0 after one. Ryan Harrison received a five-minute major and a game misconduct for interference at the 9:44 mark, and both Tri-City goals would come on the ensuing powerplay. Patrick Holland scored on a long wrist shot from the point for the first goal and then Mason Wilgosh knocked in a rebound in front just over two minutes later as the Americans finished 2 for 5 on 12 minutes worth of powerplay time in the first period alone.

Tri-City extended the lead at 6:20 of the second period with another powerplay goal after Cody Fowlie received a major and game misconduct for checking from behind. This time Adam Hughesman zipped a wrist shot from the left boards that snuck inside the near post to make it 3-0 through 40 minutes.

The ‘Tips stayed out of the penalty box in the third period and outshot the Americans 6-5, but couldn’t break Ty Rimmer’s goose-egg until the final minutes. With 1:03 to go and Kent Simpson off for the extra attacker, Ryan Murray snuck a long shot through traffic and into the net to get Everett on the board before time ran out in the 3-1 defeat.

Kent Simpson (0-2) stopped 33 shots in total and made a number of key saves in the Silvertips’ losing cause. Ty Rimmer (2-0) ended with 17 saves to help the Americans build their 2-0 series lead. Tri-city outshot Everett 36-18 in total.

The teams will now travel back across the Cascades for Games 3 and 4 of the best-of-seven series in Everett. Game 3 is set for Tuesday night at Comcast Arena, with Game 4 to follow on Wednesday night as the ‘Tips look to battle their way back in the series. Both of next week’s Silvertips home games start at 7:05 pm.