Matthew Wolfe
U.S. Division, Uncategorized

Wolf’s shutout streak ends as Silvertips remain undefeated

Written by Lizz Child on

Silvertips stay perfect on the season with win over Winterhawks

The Everett Silvertips remain undefeated in the 2021 season despite Dustin Wolf’s shutout streak ending.

Friday night’s game was the first back at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum this season, though it was their second home game of the schedule.

Just as fans were expecting, the first game of the season between the Silvertips and the Portland Winterhawks was neck and neck the entire time. Both teams scored just once through three periods, sending the US Division’s top two teams into overtime. In the first meeting between these two powerhouse teams this season, the Silvertips walked away with a 2-1 overtime victory.

Wolf’s shutout streak ends and a record is set

Dustin Wolf’s shutout streak ended in Silvertips’ fourth game of the season. However, he set a new franchise record shutout streak when it came to an end after 216:27 minutes into the season. The goaltender he takes the record from? Carter Hart. While his shutout streak may be over, Wolf and the Silvertips are still sporting the only perfect record in the division.

Knak gets the goal everyone wanted

Of course, we can’t talk about the end of the shutout streak without discussing the guy who ended it.

Simon Knak, who now has two shorthanded goals in his last two games, finally cracked Wolf 33:16 into the game. During an interview earlier this season, the Swiss-born forward had mentioned that he wanted to prove to the scouts and NHL teams that they were wrong not to select him in last October’s draft.

“I think I just saw the opportunity to skate with Dureau,” said Knak about his goal, “It’s always a little bit of a risky play when you join the rush on the PK, but in the end, it was coming good and I think now I need to learn to score goals against five-against-five.”

Simon Knak celebrates as Wolf’s shutout streak ends(Photo- Portland Winterhawks/Matthew Wolfe)

Goaltending continues to impress

As has been the story in all of Portland’s games this season, goaltending played a massive part on both sides of the ice. In the net. opposite Wolf, Dante Giannuzzi saw his third game of the season. With 34 saves on 36 shots faced, this was the first game that saw a Winterhawks’ goaltender make anything other than an even 30 saves. Earlier this year, Giannuzzi mentioned what he worked on over the off-season. “I’ve been really trying to simplify my game a lot, play a simple game. Try not to be all over the place. Try to make clean saves, control my rebounds, not over move.”

This game was a fantastic example of hard work paying off. While Giannuzzi may not have been the triumphant netminder, he showed that he is a force to be reckoned with.

Same as Giannuzzi, Wolf saw 36 shots throughout the three periods and 4:17 minutes of overtime. This season, the Calgary Flames prospect has stopped 101-of-102 shots faced and has proven to everyone that he hasn’t missed a beat.

Final notes

Silvertips co-captain Cole Fonstad earned a point on both of Everett’s goals, scoring the overtime game-winner.

All three goals scored were the second of the year for the players who scored them (EVT: Goncalves, Fonstad POR: Knak)

These two teams next meet on Saturday, April 3rd with puck drop scheduled for 6:05 pm PDT.

Lizz has been an avid fan of the WHL, especially the Portland Winterhawks, since discovering hockey. During the NHL season, she works for the San Jose Sharks 50/50 raffle and considers it a welcome break from her "essential" full-time job. She is also a full-time student majoring in journalism and is extremely grateful for the opportunity to be part of the DUBNetwork team.