GAME RECAP: Huuhtanen nets first career hat trick in 7-2 home win over Spokane
EVERETT, Wash. — Niko Huuhtanen picked up his first career WHL hat trick in a four-point night as the Everett Silvertips trounced the Spokane Chiefs 7-2 at Angel of the Winds Arena Friday night.
Hunter Campbell opened the scoring 11:05 into the first period, fielding a drop-pass along the left wing wall and skating to the slot before beating rookie goaltender Cooper Michaluk with a wrist shot for his 21st of the year. Olen Zellweger netted his 13th of the season minutes later, circling the perimeter of the offensive zone and wiring a long wrist shot home.
Nobody:
Michal Gut during the intermission: “Yeah, I’m just gonna receive the pass, split the D, and go forehand/backhand. Simple.” #LetsGoTips X @TheWHL X @engineeredpt pic.twitter.com/i5bjSC0JKs
— X – Everett Silvertips (@WHLsilvertips) March 26, 2022
Michal Gut potted a powerplay goal just 16 seconds into the middle frame, slipping his way through the Spokane defense for a nifty backhand tally, his 14th of the season. Though Bear Hughes would get Spokane on the board with an early-period goal, the Tips would answer while on a major powerplay. Niko Huuhtanen rifled a wrister off a clean face-off win by Alex Swetlikoff for his 33rd tally of the campaign.
Alexa, play Gravy Train by Yung Gravy ⚡️#LetsGoTips X @TheWHL X @engineeredpt pic.twitter.com/MpYhcSz10W
— X – Everett Silvertips (@WHLsilvertips) March 26, 2022
Later in the second, Caden Zaplitny fought his way through a hit along the left wall and found Swetlikoff back-door for Swetlikoff’s 29th goal and a 5-1 Everett lead.
Huuhtanen would score the next two goals for the Silvertips in the third period- the first tapping in a picture-perfect pass from Olen Zellweger, the second banging in a rebound to complete the hat trick. Huuhtanen now has nine multi-goal performances this season for the Silvertips.
Koen MacInnes stopped 13 of 15 in the win, his 20th. Swetlikoff extended his point streak to 15 games, the longest by any Silvertip this season.
Everett is now 12-0 on the season series against Spokane.
The Silvertips host the Portland Winterhawks Saturday night at 6 p.m. The first 1,000 fans through the main gate receive a Silvertips trucker hat, courtesy of Buzz Inn Steakhouse. Tickets are available by clicking HERE.
