Silvertips reverse the Spokane curse
SPOKANE – Josh Winquist and Carson Stadnyk scored two goals apiece as the Everett Silvertips snapped an 18-game drought at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena with a 4-2 victory over the Spokane Chiefs on Wednesday night. While extending their win streak to seven straight games, the Silvertips also moved back within one point of the Chiefs for fifth place and three points of Seattle for fourth place in the Western Conference with three games to play.
In addition to the matching two-goal efforts from Stadnyk and Winquist (who also had an assist), the Silvertips got two helpers from Ivan Nikolishin. Manraj Hayer notched his 99th career point with an assist, while Zane Jones extended his point streak to three games. The ‘Tips trailed 1-0 and 2-1 before going ahead to stay on Winquist’s second goal with five seconds left in the second period. It was Everett’s first victory at Spokane Arena since Feb. 24, 2010, ending a 0-16-2-0 stretch at the home of the Chiefs.
Powerplay goals were a recurring theme of the night, with Spokane scoring first as Mike Aviani drove the net and directed a hard Mitch Holmberg pass into the net at 5:36. The Silvertips answered three minutes later on a powerplay score from Carson Stadnyk, who backhanded a loose puck into the top corner after Manraj Hayer and Zane Jones had helped create a scramble in front. Both team had close calls later in the period, but the score stayed 1-1 until the Chiefs received a 5-on-3 powerplay for a full two minutes. Mitch Holmberg converted on a one-timer from the left circle with 14 seconds left to give the home team a 2-1 lead after one.
Everett gained steam as the second period progressed, tying the game again on a nearly 200-foot rush that ended with Josh Winquist finishing a give-and-go passing play with Jujhar Khaira at 12:27. This time it was the Silvertips who would find themselves on the powerplay in the last minute of the period looking to take their first lead. They did just that when Ivan Nikolishin’s pass sprung Winquist on a breakaway behind the defense, where he beat Eric Williams through the five-hole for his 45th goal of the season with just five seconds left in the frame.
Spokane had the territorial edge in the third, but the Silvertips surrendered only seven shots and kept them from generating many quality opportunities to tie the score. Then with four minutes left in the game, pressure from Winquist helped free up the puck in the Chiefs’ end for Stadnyk, who pushed his way out front before tucking the puck around Williams to seal the 4-2 triumph.
Austin Lotz (29-18-3-2) finished with 27 saves in goal as Spokane finished with a 29-24 shot advantage. Eric Williams (32-18-2-2) stopped 20 Everett shots in defeat. The Silvertips scored two powerplay goals on four opportunities, while the Chiefs converted two of three.
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The Silvertips will now finish the regular season with three games this weekend including their regular season home finale on Saturday. The ‘Tips first travel to Victoria for a 7:05 pm face-off against the Royals on Friday night, with radio coverage starting at 6:30 on Fox Sports 1380 AM. The teams will then take the Comcast Arena ice to complete the home-and-home series vs. the Royals at 7:05 pm Saturday for Fan Appreciation night. Everett visits Portland Sunday afternoon to close the regular season against the Winterhawks at 5:05 pm.
Single game tickets for our last regular season home game are available now at the team office, with playoff packages going on sale soon. Visit our website or call 425-252-5100 for more information. To keep up with all the latest team news, “like” the Everett Silvertips Hockey Club on Facebook or follow @WHLSilvertips on Twitter.
