Everett books a trip to the championship against the Kitchener Rangers on Sunday.
The WHL Champion Everett Silvertips put on an absolute clinic. Powered by a multi-goal performance from exceptional status defenceman Landon DuPont. Everett dismantled the QMJHL Champion Chicoutimi Saguenéens 6-1 at Prospera Place.
Everett opened the scoring at the 7:56 mark of the first period. Forward Jaxsin Vaughan found a seam in the Chicoutimi defence and snapped home his first goal of the tournament, assisted by Lukas Kaplan.
Chicoutimi showed their championship resilience minutes later. At 12:01, star defenceman Tomas Lavoie equalized for the Saguenéens, finishing off a sequence set up by Peteris Bulans and Nathan Lecompte.
However, the tie was short-lived. Just 1:58 later, at 13:59, DuPont showcased his elite hockey IQ. Actively joining the rush, the young phenom buried a goal with assists from Carter Bear and Shea Busch, giving Everett a 2-1 lead heading into the first intermission.
Bear would then score his third goal of the tournament, converting a beautifully timed pass from Nolan Chastko and Luke Vlooswyk to make it 3-0.
Zackary Shantz extended the lead further, striking for his second of the tournament off a slick setup from Jesse Heslop.
Late in the 2nd, with a Chicoutimi skater in the penalty box, DuPont struck again. He fired a one-timer from the hashmarks for his second goal of the evening.
Operating on another power play, Everett's top unit moved the puck with clinical precision. Julius Miettinen fired home a goal, for his first of the tournament extending the lead to 6-1.
Next up, Everett will face the Kitchener Rangers in the championship on Sunday.
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