Round 1 is done for the Everett Silvertips, who grinded out a 4-1 series win over the Vancouver Giants. Despite the efforts of Giants goalie Brett Mirwald to keep the Silvertips at bay, relentless pressure from Everett created the momentum they needed after they dropped the opening game at home.
Here’s how the series unfolded…
Game 1
It was a start to forget for the Silvertips early on in Game 1. Defensive pairings were caught flat-footed in the neutral zone, allowing the Giants many high-danger rush opportunities. An early breakaway goal from Cameron Schmidt started things off, and a power-play tally later in the period broke the dam open for the Giants to grab a 4-2 lead after the first period.
Defending rushes up the ice against a sneakily explosive Giants team was an issue for the Silvertips early on in the series, but Everett re-acclimated and returned to its offensive prowess as the game went on.
Everett was close to mounting a comeback, with two goals from Ben Hemmerling and one from Kaden Hammell, cutting the lead to one goal for the majority of the third period. But the bid proved to be unsuccessful, and the Silvertips fell 6-4 that night.
While offensive momentum may have shifted towards the Silvertips through the remainder of the game (Everett won the shot battle 42-23), they lacked physicality throughout.
“We expected it [to be physical],” Hemmerling said. “I thought they were more physical than us, and it showed.”
Starting netminder Tyler Palmer was relieved by Ethan Chadwick after allowing four goals on nine shots in the first period, and while a start like that can be tough for any goalie to overcome, assistant coach Mike Field referenced Palmer’s mental toughness as a big asset to his game and how it would be pivotal for him to bounce back the following night.
“He’s a resilient kid,” coach Field said. “He’s had bad games before, he’s had great games before. It’s going to happen again. It’s part of the position. I’m not worried about him, he’s really mentally sharp.”
Game 2
It is safe to say Palmer bounced back for Game 2. Everett was more focused on volume offensively, and defensively, the group played to its identity. Silvertips defenders were smoother with shutting down Giants’ passing lanes and being quicker to gain positioning in the middle of the ice.
Offensively, the Silvertips wore down Giants defenders by constantly applying pressure in the attacking zone, recording 55 total shots fired toward Mirwald. Only two found their way in, though, as Mirwald was tough to crack throughout the series; fortunately for the Silvertips, the two goals they got were all they needed in a 2-1 win, evening the series at one game apiece.
Everett had to be creative to get pucks past Mirwald, and Austin Roest‘s work in front of the net was pivotal in tallying both goals for the Silvertips that night. He emphasized that establishing proper positioning in front of the net as a key to Everett’s success offensively.
“If you look at all the goals we’ve scored in the past however many games, there’s either someone banging in a rebound or someone in front of the net screening the goalie,” Roest said. “That’s how we’re going to play, and that’s how we’re going to win. We have to play that way to be successful.”
Palmer looked more comfortable and seemed to better settled into Game 2, which Coach Field said didn’t shock him. Palmer stopped 20 of 21 and only allowed one goal on a highlight-reel play from Giants forward London Hoilett during the second period.
Games 3 & 4
The Silvertips were evolving as the faster team throughout the series and were more efficient with their ways of attack as a result. As the series transitioned up to Langley, British Columbia, Everett found success with getting to high-danger scoring areas immediately upon entry into the offensive zone.
Games 3 and 4 followed similar trajectories for the Silvertips, which followed with similar results. Parker Berge had three goals and two assists during the series and looked freer with his new defense partner, Niko Tsakumis, in place of Hammell. Berge had goals in both games in Langley.
Even with Mirwald continuing to be a rock in net for the Giants, stopping 85 of 92 shots across both games in Langley, the sheer volume was too much for the Giants back end to handle.
It’s hard enough to take even one game from a hostile environment like Vancouver, let alone both games, but that’s what Everett was able to do. The Silvertips held the Giants to just two total goals in the two games, winning 3-1 in Game 3 on Wednesday night and 4-1 in Game 4 on Friday night. The series headed back to Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett for Game 5.
Game 5
Sunday night’s Game 5 was the final nail in the coffin for Vancouver, as Everett delivered the final blow with five unanswered goals. Mirwald, for the first time since Game 1, looked ordinary with the shots he was letting through, including Dominik Rymon scoring from his knees.
Net-front presence was prominent from all four Everett forward lines the entire night, and the Giants looked out of gas. Everett closed out the series with a 5-0 cruise in Game 5.
This series was quite the team effort for the Silvertips, as all but two dressed players tallied at least a point. Palmer stepped up as well by shutting the Giants down after Game 1 and only allowing three goals between Games 2 and 5.
It is possible the Silvertips could be without Roest, one of their top forwards and co-captain, to start the second round. He took only two shifts during Game 5 and left after taking hits on both shifts that left him slow to get to his feet. Roest exited the game moving very gingerly.
Everett will advance to take on the Portland Winterhawks in the second round of the WHL playoffs. A full series preview will come later this week.
Header photo taken by Brian Liesse, courtesy Seattle Thunderbirds.