GAME RECAP: Berezowski nets 38th goal, MacInnes stops 31 in 4-3 win over Seattle

KENT, Wash. — The Everett Silvertips held on for a nail-biting win at accesso Showare Center, besting the Seattle Thunderbirds 4-3.

Ryan Hofer opened the scoring 2:18 into the contest, taking the puck away from Seattle defenseman Leon Okonwko-Prada behind the Thunderbirds’ net and lifting a backhander past Thomas Milic for his 24th goal of the season.

Later on in the first, a Matthew Rempe hit on Aidan Sutter was assessed a five-minute major for boarding and a game misconduct penalty. Hofer, in the ensuing fracas dropped the gloves with Rempe, drawing a two-minute penalty for instigation. With play at 4-on-4, Jared Davidson tallied to knot the score at one. Later in the frame, with the Tips on a major powerplay, Alex Swetlikoff capped off a tic-tac-toe passing play to bury his 25th of the year.

Seattle tied the game at two early in the second period courtesy of a Mekai Sanders wrist shot. Everett would reclaim the lead at 7:14 in the second, as Ben Hemmerling netted his eighth goal of the season off a face-off win while tumbling down to his knees. At 15:00 in the period, an Olen Zellweger takeaway in the defensive zone sprung Jacob Wright up ice, with Wright feeding Jackson Berezowski for his 38th tally of the season.

Though Jordan Gustafson would pull the T-Birds to within one seconds into the third period, Koen MacInnes held firm to keep Everett on top for a 4-3 win. MacInnes stopped 31 of 34 in the win, his 17th of the season.

With the win, Everett improves to 38-9-3-5 on the year, topping the Western Conference.

The Silvertips will visit Spokane for a matchup with the Chiefs on Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m. They return home Saturday, Mar. 19 to battle the Vancouver Giants. Tickets are available by clicking HERE.