Everett Shuts Down Kootenay in Kennewick
KENNEWICK, WA – The Everett Silvertips allowed only 16 shots to the Kootenay Ice while accumulating 40 of their own on the way to a 3-1 victory over the defending WHL Champions in their first game of the Tri-City Americans preseason tournament Friday morning at the Toyota Center. The Silvertips are now 2-2 in the preseason going into tomorrow’s 11:00 am match-up with the Seattle Thunderbirds in their final tournament appearance.
With veterans Josh Birkholz, Ryan Harrison and Tyler Maxwell away from the club at NHL training camps, Everett’s young lineup had no issues denying chances against the Ice. Goals from Zach McPhee, Cody Fowlie and Brennan Yadlowski provided all the offense the ‘Tips would need in their second consecutive exhibition victory.
The ‘Tips jumped out to an early 9-1 shot advantage in the contest, but missed on two early powerplays as the opening period ended scoreless. Everett fired a total of 13 shots on goal in the first 20 minutes, while Kootenay was held to just four.
The Silvertips peppered Ice goaltenders Mackenzie Skapski and Wyatt Hoflin with 18 second-period shots and took the lead when McPhee notched his first exhibition goal on an assist from Kohl Bauml at 6:55. Fowlie then scored his team-leading fourth goal of the preseason later in the period, with Yadlowski burying an unassisted tally of his own less than two minutes later to make it 3-0 Everett. Kootenay got on the board late in the second on an Elgin Pearce powerplay goal, but the Silvertips still took a two-goal edge into the third frame.
Despite facing five Ice powerplays in the third period, the ‘Tips still allowed only six shots and no goals in the final 20 minutes to protect the lead and complete the 3-1 victory. Everett killed off seven of eight Kootenay powerplays in the contest, while finishing 0 for 6 on its own man-advantage.
Luke Siemens faced only five shots in his 30-plus minutes of work, stopping all of them before Andy Desautels came in to make ten saves. Skapski totaled 21 stops in the first half of the game for the Ice, while Hoflin turned aside
16 pucks the rest of the way.
The Silvertips will step back on the Toyota Center tomorrow morning at 11:00 am to face the Seattle Thunderbirds in their second tournament game in Kennewick. The club will then return home to prepare for their final preseason home game next Friday against the Vancouver Giants at Comcast Arena.
The Silvertips are set to open the home schedule of their ninth season in Everett on Saturday, September 24 against the Kelowna Rockets at Comcast Arena. Season tickets and mini game packages for the 2011-2012 regular season are available now and can be purchased in person at the team office inside Comcast Arena or by phone at 425-252-5100. Single game tickets are on sale by phone (866-332-8449), online (comcastarenaeverett.com) or at the Comcast Arena box office.
