And a goalie shall lead them, as Americans down Everett

Everett, Washington - The Everett Silvertips hounded the Tri-City goal all night long, firing 55 shots on goal, but Americans goaltender Beck Warm stood tall, making 53 saves, as Tri-City moved into first place in the U.S. Division, beating the Silvertips 4-2, in front of 5,119 at the Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington Friday night.

After a scoreless first period in which Everett outshot the Ams 14-4, the dam burst in the second, as the two teams would score three goals combined in 38 seconds. Tri-City import player Krystof Hrabik scored from Sasha Mutala at 6:18, giving Tri-City a 1-0 lead. But, just 27 seconds later, the Silvertips would tie it up on a Connor Dewar goal, assisted by Jake Christensen and Sean Richards at 6:45, squaring the game at 1-1. 21 seconds later, the Americans would get the eventual game-winner off the stick of Mutala, with Hrabik drawing the lone assist at 7:06 for a 2-1 Tri-City lead. Then, in the final minute, captain Nolan Yaremko's team-leading 11th goal of the season, on the power play with help from Parker AuCoin at 19:24, staked the Ams to a 3-1 lead after two.

Everett continued to storm Tri-City goaltender Beck Warm, drawing to within one at 12:35 on Riley Sutter's goal, assisted by Dewar and Christiansen but could get no closer, with AuCoin's unassisted empty netter at 19:59 sealing the deal and the Americans skated away with the 4-2 win and into first place in the U.S. Division.

Warm was superb for Tri-City in his 13th start this season, making 53 saves on his way to his 9th win of the season. Dustin Wolf of Everett was tested just 15 times on the night, making 12 saves. Mutala, with a goal and assist on the night, now has points in 7 straight games for the Americans. On special teams, Tri-City was 1-for 3 on the power play and 2-of-2 on the penalty kill.

With the win, the Americans, winners of six straight, 8 of 10, 6 of 7 on the road, improve to 10-4-0-0 on the season, good for first place in the U.S. Division. The Silvertips now sit second, percentage points behind Tri-City, with a record of 10-6-0-0. The Americans are now off until next Friday, November 9th, when they begin their annual Eastern swing traveling to Saskatchewan for a game against the Regina Pats, with a scheduled 5:00pm PST start. Everett's next action is Saturday, November 3rd, with a road contest at the Spokane Chiefs.

                                           Photo by Chris Mast