Everett's Irving ties shutout record

EVERETT -- Usually 35 saves are enough for a win. But for Jacob DeSerres and the Thunderbirds, it was just enough for a loss as Everett Silvertips goaltender Leland Irving stopped 37 shots en route to his 21st career shutout, tying a WHL record.

Everett got goals in the first and second periods off of aggressive play around Seattle's net, and Irving set the tone early with a save on a breakaway opportunity in Everett's 2-0 win in front of a sellout crowd of 8,440 at Comcast Arena on Friday.

"We didn't play with enough edge," T-Birds coach Rob Sumner said. "We were fairly average in most areas and that's not good enough to win."

About five minutes into the first period, Bud Holloway took off on a short-handed breakaway, but Irving sprawled for the save.

"I felt sharp right from the warmups, then I was able to feel the puck early, so I just rolled from there," Irving said after posting his fourth shutout of the season. "It's a big relief, but I can't take all the credit. I felt like there was a couple times when I was down and out, but the guys were there to bail me out."

Clayton Bauer and Kyle Beach scored for Everett.