Everett Silvertips win first Memorial Cup game

The Everett Silvertips opened their 2026 Memorial Cup schedule with a 5-3 win over the Chicoutimi Saguenéens on Saturday, May 23, in Kelowna, British Columbia. HeraldNet reported that Everett scored twice in a 50-second span in the second period to move in front and then held on for its first round-robin victory at the tournament. (heraldnet.com) Newsday’s game report said Zackary Shantz and Carter Bear had the two quick goals in that stretch. The result put Everett on the board in its first game of the four-team event. ### How did Everett take control of the game? The second period decided it. (chl.ca) HeraldNet reported that Everett broke the game open with two goals in 50 seconds, turning the matchup in the Silvertips’ favor. Newsday identified the scorers as Zackary Shantz and Carter Bear and said the burst helped Everett beat Chicoutimi 5-3. The 5-3 score mattered beyond one night’s result. Newsday said it was the Memorial Cup opener for both Everett and Chicoutimi, which meant the win gave the Silvertips an early foothold in round-robin play. (heraldnet.com) ### Why is this win notable for Everett? Everett is making its first appearance at the Memorial Cup, according to recent tournament coverage from HeraldNet and Sporting News. That made Saturday’s result the franchise’s first win in Memorial Cup play as well as its first round-robin victory in this year’s event. (heraldnet.com) HeraldNet’s tournament primer published before the event said Everett entered Kelowna after winning the Western Hockey League regular-season title and playoff championship. Saturday’s result extended that run onto the national stage against the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League champion from Chicoutimi. (newsday.com) ### Where does this fit in the Memorial Cup format? The Canadian Hockey League’s tournament page lists a four-team field in Kelowna: the host Kelowna Rockets, the Everett Silvertips, the Kitchener Rangers and the Chicoutimi Saguenéens. The CHL page shows the event running through May 31 at Prospera Place, with round-robin games leading into the later knockout rounds. (heraldnet.com) The CHL schedule page lists Everett’s opener against Chicoutimi on May 23, followed by games against Kitchener on May 25 and Kelowna on May 27. The same page shows the semifinal set for May 29 and the championship game for May 31. ### Who is working the tournament in Kelowna? (heraldnet.com) The officiating crew was drawn from the OHL, QMJHL and WHL, according to Scouting The Refs and a CHL release carried by OurSports Central. Those reports said the league selected referees and linespersons from its three member leagues for the 2026 Memorial Cup in Kelowna. (chl.ca) Scouting The Refs reported that many of the officials are working their first Memorial Cup. The selection reflects the CHL’s standard practice of building the event crew from across its three major-junior leagues. (chl.ca) ### What comes next for Everett? The CHL schedule lists Everett’s next round-robin game against the Kitchener Rangers on Monday, May 25, at 6 p.m. PDT in Kelowna. The Silvertips then face host Kelowna on Wednesday, May 27, before the tournament moves to its semifinal on May 29 and final on May 31. (chl.ca) (scoutingtherefs.com)