Silvertips edge Wild in tight WHL opener
Everett Silvertips took the three points against Wenatchee Wild with a 3:2 victory in the Western Hockey League on Friday night. The result leaves both sides level on zero points after one game each, though the hosts have clearly found a way back into form after their recent setbacks.
Eighth-period goals from both sides had the match finely balanced, and Everett held their nerve when it mattered. To be fair, the visitors had looked dangerous in their previous outing, but this time the Silvertips tightened things up in the closing stages and punished them from a corner opportunity.
The visitors had been flying high before this match, winning five of their last six outings including a 5:2 demolition of Tri-City. By then they had shown no shortage of confidence, but a derby with no love lost rarely plays out as expected. The Wild got in behind occasionally, but the home defence had switched off at a set piece only once, and that was enough to cost them.
Everett's recent form had been uneven — a 6:0 win followed by a 2:7 loss, then a 4:3 victory — so this result suggests they are closing in on a deal for consistency. The hosts have the deeper squad, and it showed when the game went to the wire.
Both clubs now sit at the bottom of the WHL table with one defeat apiece and no points to show for their opening fixtures. The standings carry little weight this early, but the momentum clearly lies with Everett, who needed the points badly after their previous stumble.
