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Everett Silvertips

'Tips Bested by Winterhawks in Divisional Showdown

March 12, 2015 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Everett Silvertips News Release


EVERETT - The Everett Silvertips opened the scoring just minutes into the first period Wednesday night, but would not find the net again as the Portland Winterhawks raced to a 6-1 win at XFINITY Arena. Despite the loss, the 'Tips remain two points ahead of Portland for first place in the U.S. Division with five games remaining in the regular season.

Dawson Leedahl scored his 14th goal of the year for the 'Tips, with Cole MacDonald and Carson Stadnyk picking up the assists. Everett trailed just 2-1 after the first period before Portland scored three second period goals to take control on their way to evening the season series at five wins apiece. The Silvertips killed off four of five Portland powerplays on the night while going 0 for 3 on their own man-advantage.

The Silvertips went on top early in the first period as Carson Stadnyk carried the puck high in the zone and dished to Cole MacDonald in the circle, who found Dawson Leedahl in front for the finish to give Everett a 1-0 lead. Portland tied the game midway through the frame when Keoni Texeira fired a shot from between the face-off circles that beat goaltender Carter Hart. Minutes later Oliver Bjorkstrand wrapped around the net and released a shot to the top corner to give the 'Hawks a 2-1 lead after the first period.

The Silvertips found themselves down 3-1 in the second as Adam Henry went end-to-end and scored on a top-shelf backhand shot. Henry extended the 'Hawks lead to three after receiving a pass from Nic Petan across the slot and finding the back of the net again. Austin Lotz came in to relieve Hart in net following Portland's fourth goal, but the 'Tips were unable to change the momentum as Petan scored a late goal to give the Hawks a 5-1 lead after 40 minutes.

The Silvertips began the third period with one minute of powerplay time, but were unable to close the gap. A second powerplay midway through the period proved just as fruitless before Bjorkstrand scored his second goal of the night on the powerplay to give Portland a 6-1 lead. Tempers flared in the final minutes with multiple minor penalties and a fight to end the game.

Carter Hart (16-5-2-1) stopped 19 of 23 shots faced in 32 minutes to take the loss in net before Austin Lotz came in for Everett and turned away 10 of 12 shots in the final 28 minutes. Portland goaltender Adin Hill (29-8-1-0) stopped 27 shots to earn the win.

The Silvertips will now prepare for a home-and-home weekend set to close their season series with the rival Seattle Thunderbirds. The 'Tips are in Kent Friday at 7:35 pm for the first game, with pregame radio coverage starting at 7:00 on Fox Sports 1380 AM. Everett will then host the Thunderbirds for the final time in the regular season Saturday night at 7:05 at XFINITY Arena.

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Western Hockey League Stories from March 12, 2015


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