KENT – A 2-2 game through two periods turned into a 5-2 defeat for the Everett Silvertips Saturday night at ShoWare Center as the Seattle Thunderbirds potted three third-period goals to win the first meeting of the year between the two rivals. Six of the game’s seven goals were scored on the powerplay, including Seattle’s game-winner in the third.
Rookie Tyler Sandhu scored his first WHL goal in the losing cause, with Landon Oslanski also lighting the lamp for the third time this year. Manraj Hayer assisted on both Silvertips goals, both of which came on the powerplay and gave them the lead. Everett finished 2 for 3 with the man-advantage, but the Thunderbirds converted four times on a total of eight opportunities.
The Silvertips took a 1-0 first period lead on the powerplay just over seven minutes in. After crisp passing set up Manraj Hayer’s shot from the right circle, Tyler Sandhu slammed in a rebound chance on the weak side for his first career goal. Seattle had four powerplays (including a lengthy two-man advantage) and a penalty shot in the in the second half of the opening period alone, but Everett’s penalty killers and a few key saves from Austin Lotz kept the ‘Tips on top by one through 20 minutes.
Seattle tied things up on the powerplay early in the second frame as Shea Theodore carried the puck between the circles in the Everett zone and fired a quick wrist shot inside the near post. The Silvertips re-gained the lead with their second powerplay goal when Landon Oslanski’s slapshot caromed off the post and in off Seattle goalie Brandon Glover, making it 2-1. Connor Honey answered for the T-Birds once again however, one-timing a pass from Jesse Forsberg into the net for the game’s fourth powerplay goal and a 2-2 tie after two periods.
The T-Birds quickly took their first lead of the game early in the third when Alexander Delnov’s long screened shot banged off the post and in. Luke Lockhart then scored the only even-strength goal of the night 29 seconds later, stretching Seattle’s lead to 4-2. Theodore notched his second of the night later in the period to cap the 5-2 decision for the Thunderbirds.
Austin Lotz stopped 25 of the 27 shots he faced through two periods, but was replaced by Cole Holowenko in the third period after being shaken up in the second. Holowenko made six saves in relief. Brandon Glover totaled 26 saves in the win as Seattle outshot Everett 36-28 in total.
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Everett will now return to Comcast Arena for their second home date in five days against the Tri-City Americans on Sunday. Opening face-off is set for 5:05 pm as the Silvertips play their last home game before leaving on their two-week Canadian road trip through the WHL’s East Division next week.
Season tickets, mini-game packages and single-game tickets for the Silvertips' 10th Anniversary season at Comcast Arena are on sale now. For more information call 425-252-5100. To keep up with all the latest team news and information, “like” the Everett Silvertips Hockey Club on Facebook or follow @WHLSilvertips on Twitter.
