EVERETT, JAN. 5: The Everett Silvertips started their 2026 on a high note, blanking the Wenatchee Wild 6-0 Saturday night at Angel of the Winds Arena.
Jesse Heslop opened the scoring 6:52 into play, wiring a power-play wrist shot for his eighth goal of the season. Hunter Rudolph backhanded a rebound at 1:29 into the second period for his first career Western Hockey League goal. Rylan Gould followed up with a powerplay deflection 14:00 into the second, snapping a seven-game goalless skid.
Rhys Jamieson made it 4-0 at 3:53 of the third period, tipping a shot from newcomer Luke Vloostwyk. Moments later, Mirco Dufour crashed the net and capitalized on a Landon DuPont feed for his second goal of the year at 6:07. DuPont capped off the scoring 12:10 into the third, rifling a snapshot for his ninth goal of the year.
“[Tonight] was a much better performance all-around,” head coach Steve Hamilton said, referring to the team’s previous 5-2 loss against the Portland Winterhawks on New Year’s Eve. “Nobody liked the feeling leaving Portland after that disaster. Guys were good tonight, they were dialed in. You could tell at warmup, you could tell before the game, guys were ready.”
DuPont finished the evening with a goal and two assists. Tarin Smith contributed three helpers on the night. Raiden LeGall turned aside all 22 shots for his second shutout of the season.
“We got off to a hot start and kept applying pressure all night,” Vlooswyk said after the game. “I’m still getting used to things here, but I’m so proud to be a Silvertip, and I’m just excited for what’s to come.”
The Silvertips improved to 29-5-3 with the win, earning their league-leading 61st point in the standings. The Tips visit the Prince George Cougars this Saturday, Jan. 10 and Sunday, before returning home Wednesday, Jan. 14, against the Moose Jaw Warriors — the start of a six-game homestand.