Silvertips deny Thunderbirds, take 2-1 series lead

For the Reporter

The Everett Silvertips defeated the Seattle Thunderbirds 3-1 in Game 3 of their best-of-7, first-round WHL playoff series in front of 5,600 fans at the accesso ShoWare Center on Tuesday night.

Everett takes a 2-1 series lead into Game 4 Friday at ShoWare. The puck drops at 7:35 p.m.

Seattle jumped out to a 1-0 lead at 1:38 of the first period on a power-play goal by Nolan Volcan. Austin Strand passed the puck from the left circle to Donovan Neuls in the right circle. Neuls took a shot that came off Everett goalie Carter Hart’s left pad as the goalie slid to this right. The puck came to Volcan and he had the whole net to shoot at to register his first goal of the playoffs.

Everett tied the game 1-1 at 8:56 of the first when Reece Vitelli tipped a shot past Seattle goalie Liam Hughes. Gianni Fairbrother and Martin Fasko-Rudas had the assists.

The T-Birds outshot the Silvertips 24-12 in the first period.

The Silvertips took a 2-1 lead at 4:58 of the second period on a power-play goal by Matt Fonteyne. Jake Christiansen and Wyatte Wylie had the assists.

Everett outshot Seattle 14-7 in the second period. The T-Birds led 31-26 in shots after two periods.

Seattle pulled goalie Liam Hughes with 1:47 left in the third period for an extra attacker. The Silvertips were able to secure the win when Fonteyne hit the empty net with 31 seconds left in the game.

Everett outshot Seattle 11-3 in the third period and 37-34 in the game.

Hughes had 34 saves on 36 shots. Hart made 33 saves on 34 shots.

SCORING SUMMARY

First period – 1, Seattle, Volcan 1 (Neuls, Strand), 1:38 (pp). 2, Everett, Vitelli 1 (Fairbrother, Fasko-Rudas), 8:56. Penalties – Vala, Evt (interference), 1:02. Richard, Evt (double minor-roughing), 13:45. Hart, Evt (10-minute misconduct), 13:45. Strand, Sea (roughing), 13:45. Tyszka, Sea (high-sticking), 16:19. Ottenbreit, Sea (roughing), 18:21. Dewar, Evt (roughing), 18:21.

Second period – 3, Everett, Fonteyne 1 (Christiansen, Wylie), 4:58 (pp). Penalties – Dewar, Evt (roughing), 2:51. Ottenbreit, Sea (roughing), 2:51. Strand, Sea (tripping), 3:08. Ottenbreit, Sea (checking to the head), 10:02. Sharp, Evt (roughing), 16:41.

Third period – 4, Fonteyne 2 (Dewar), 19:29 (en). Penalties – Strand, Sea (tripping), 3:49. Ottenbreit, Sea (cross checking), 5:10. Wedman, Sea (10-minute misconduct), 5:10. Kindopp, Evt (checking to the head), 6:59.

Shots on goal – Seattle 24-7-3 34, Everett 12-14-11 37. Goalies – Seattle, Hughes 36 shots-34 saves (1-2-0); Everett, Hart 34-33 (2-0-1). Power plays – Seattle 1-4; Everett 1-5. A – 5,600. Referees – Adam Griffiths, Sean Raphael. Linesmen – Mark Heier, Sean Raphael.

PLAYOFF GLANCE

First-round, best-of-7 series

Everett vs. Seattle

Game 1, At Everett 4, Seattle 1

Game 2, Seattle 5, at Everett 4,

Game 3, Everett 3, Seattle 1

Game 4, Everett at Seattle, Friday, March 30, 7:35 p.m.

Game 5, Seattle at Everett, Saturday, March 31, 7:05 p.m

Game 6, Everett at Seattle, Tuesday, April 3, 7:05 p.m.*

Game 7, Seattle at Everett, Wednesday, April 4, 7:05 p.m.*

*if necessary

Game 4 promotion: Fans can purchase 10 tickets for $220 and get two free tickets and $10 worth of free Chuck-a-Pucks. Group ticket special available by calling the T-Birds at 253-239-7825 (PUCK). Not available on game day. Advance purchase only.

Single-game tickets can be purchased on the T-Birds website, seattlethunderbirds.com, and at the ShoWare

box office, which is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday game days at noon.