Yes, they have only played six games. Yes, they are just fourth in points among WHL teams. Still, after sweeping the Portland Winterhawks this weekend, the Everett Silvertips remain undefeated this season.
A typical fixture atop the US Division standings, many felt this could be the year Everett found itself sitting in the middle of the pack. Still early, the Silvertips are persuading doubters to think otherwise.
Reigning victorious on Friday and Saturday, the Silvertips outscored the Winterhawks 6-2, shutting out Portland in a one-goal game on Saturday. Both Koen MacInnes and Braden Holt looked solid in their respective starts. Holt posted the 22-save shutout Saturday while MacInnes stopped 24 of 26 shots. Everett’s goal scorers included Jonny Lambos, Beau Courtney, Olen Zellweger, and Alex Swetlikoff (hat trick).
After six contests, the Silvertips are 6-0-0-0 and are at the top of the U.S. Division. Portland, on the other hand, is 3-4-0-1, sitting in fourth place.
Silvertips Sweep Winterhawks in Weekend Showdown
In control throughout
As has been the case in most games this season, Everett dictated the pace of both games this weekend. They made sure to create enough separation on Friday after the Winterhawks tied it up 1-1. They shifted the intensity level to the next gear, scoring four straight goals and instilling an aura of doubt in their opponents. Saturday, they registered the lone goal in the opening period and allowed strong defense and netminding to take care of the rest.
Throughout the team’s first six contests, the Silvertips consistently look like the club in the driver’s seat. Yes, there are hiccups, but Everett is playing like a team that feels a favorable outcome is never in doubt.
Goaltending remains a strength
After the departure of Dustin Wolf, goaltending became an initial area of uncertainty for the Silvertips. The duo of Holt and MacInnes are gradually eliminating that early concern.
Allowing just two goals collectively this weekend, Everett’s netminders consistently put their team in a position to win the game. Between the two, Holt and MacInnes have allowed just nine goals so far this season. A disparity between games played exists, but nine goals-allowed is the fewest in the league by five. Of course, shutouts in half of the games will usually put you at the top of that category.
Neither Holt nor MacInnes is at the level of Wolf or Carter Hart. However, it is necessary to reach those heights if both remain solid options in the net throughout the 2021-22 campaign.
Out-muscled by Portland
The Everett Silvertips were the better team this weekend where it mattered most. Still, there was one area where the Winterhawks demonstrated dominance. On numerous occasions, Portland laid out punishing hits, leaving the Silvertips sprawled out on the ice. For the most part, all of these hits were of the “clean” variety.
Of course, every team finds itself on the receiving end of some brutal blows. However, no one wants to make a habit out of it. Everett needs to ramp up its physicality to prevent these hits from translating into valuable swings of momentum and limiting the chance for serious injury.
The Silvertips also take the fourth-least penalties in the WHL at just 11 minutes per game. This is especially frustrating for the opposition as the Silvertips own the best penalty kill in the league at 90.0%.
Making a statement early
Plenty of games remain in the 2021-22 WHL regular season. Just because a team is off to a hot start does not mean they won’t cool off when games matter most. Still, with division play dominating the first month-plus of the campaign, Everett is putting their stamp on the U.S. Division.
Defeating the same opponent countless times early on sets a tone that the Silvertips remain the team to beat. With every victory, Everett creates a necessary separation that may prove valuable as the year progresses. If they continue having their way with divisional foes, everyone will start to question whether they can genuinely be dethroned.
Up Next
Everett’s next contest is against the familiar Portland Winterhawks at home Friday night. Then, the Silvertips will travel to Spokane to take on the 3-4-1-0 Chiefs for a Saturday showdown.
