Williams Steals Another from Silvertips
EVERETT – The Everett Silvertips outshot the Spokane Chiefs 11-3 in the third period and generated a number of quality scoring chances, but couldn’t solve Chiefs goaltender Eric Williams in a 2-0 defeat Sunday evening at Comcast Arena. The Silvertips have one more opportunity to end their four-game skid before dispersing for the WHL’s holiday break as they visit the Portland Winterhawks Tuesday night.
The Silvertips finished with a 29-20 shot advantage in the contest and brought increasing offensive pressure throughout the night, but Williams (18-8-0-1) posted his second shutout in as many tries at Comcast Arena this season while leading Spokane to victory. Making his first start since November 13, Daniel Cotton (5-2-3-0) turned away 18 of the 20 shots he faced in net for Everett.
The Silvertips and Chiefs were even in shots in the first, but Spokane scored midway through the period to take a 1-0 lead. Defensemen Tyler King corralled the puck at the blue line on the play and fired a shot that deflected off a skate in front and just out of Daniel Cotton’s reach inside the right post. Everett had the only powerplay in the first, but couldn’t generate any momentum and carried a one-goal deficit into the dressing room.
Neither team found the back of the net in the second despite two Silvertips powerplays and one for Spokane. The period’s best scoring chance came from Josh Winquist, who pulled the puck out of a scramble in front and cut across the goal mouth before Williams slid his left pad over in time to make the save. The ‘Tips skated to a narrow 8-7 shot edge in the second.
Everett came on strong in the third in a push to tie the score, but Spokane doubled the lead on their first shot of the period. With the Chiefs on the rush, Mike Aviani’s shot from the right circle snuck past Cotton to make it 2-0 at 6:17. Winquist had another great opportunity from the slot midway through the period, faking a pass before ripping a shot toward the top corner that was gloved by a lunging Williams. Spokane held off the Everett the rest of the way to hand the ‘Tips their third shutout loss of the year.
The Silvertips finished 0 for 3 on the powerplay, while stopping the Chiefs on their only opportunity of the period.
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The ‘Tips now have one game remaining before the WHL’s holiday break as they travel to Portland for a Tuesday night matchup with the Winterhawks. Opening faceoff is set for 7 pm, with pregame coverage starting at 6:30 on Fox Sports 1380 AM. Then after a nine-day rest the Silvertips get back to action with the first game of a home-and-home set against the Seattle Thunderbirds on Friday, December 27 at Comcast Arena.
Silvertips holiday packs, mini-game plans and six-game packs for the 2013-14 WHL season are available now at the team office. 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.
