GAME RECAP: League-leading Silvertips pick up thirtieth win of season against Seattle
EVERETT, Wash. — The Silvertips overcame a frightening opening sequence to power their way past the Seattle Thunderbirds on home ice Sunday night, picking up their league-leading 30th win and 64th point of the season.
Play would be halted just 12 seconds into the game, as the opening dump-in to the Everett zone resulted in a hard hit behind the Silvertips’ net. Seattle’s Lucas Ciona collided with Everett’s Jonny Lambos, sending Lambos tumbling down to the ice and drawing the attention of the training staff from both sides. Lambos would ultimately be stretchered off the ice after several minutes.
With the Silvertips controlling possession for most of the first period, Jacob Wright netted the game’s first goal on the powerplay at 13:39, capitalizing on a cross-slot feed from Austin Roest. Wright would tally a second time less than three minutes later for his 16th of the year, giving the Silvertips a 2-0 lead heading into the first intermission.
Jacob was in the Wright place for this goal! 🔥#LetsGoTips X @TheWHL X @engineeredpt pic.twitter.com/yczApZzwXQ
— Everett Silvertips (@WHLsilvertips) January 31, 2022
Henrik Rybinski brought the Thunderbirds to within one late in the second period, slipping a backhand shot past Braden Holt for a powerplay goal. Aidan Sutter would provide the Tips breathing room midway through the third, receiving a Jacob Wright pass and firing a wrist shot through traffic for his second goal of the season.
Though Reid Schaefer would once more halve the deficit for the Thunderbirds, Jackson Berezowski would ice the game with an empty-net goal, his 29th of the campaign. The goal extended Berezowski’s point streak to 12 games, a team high for the season.
Braden Holt stopped 32 of 34 for his 18th win of the season. The Silvertips are the first team in the Western Hockey League to reach 30 wins, and currently sit atop the WHL points standings with 64 points in 41 games played.
Jonny Lambos was released from local medical care during the course of the game after thorough examination and returned to Angel of the Winds Arena in time to greet teammates on their way off the ice after the 4-2 win.
An update on Jonny:
Back in the building in time for post-game hugs.
Glad you’re okay @jlambos4 💚 pic.twitter.com/kEDrEMHD5t
— Everett Silvertips (@WHLsilvertips) January 31, 2022
The Silvertips will host a three-game weekend coming up, facing off with the Victoria Royals on Friday (7:05 p.m.), the Prince George Cougars on Saturday (6:05 p.m.) and the Kelowna Rockets on Sunday (4:05 p.m.). The first 1,000 fans at Saturday’s game will receive a mini-zamboni giveaway item courtesy of Seatown. Sunday’s game will feature the first leg of the Great Small Dog Races, presented by Sam’s Cats and Dogs Naturally.
