The Seattle Thunderbirds defeated the Everett Silvertips 5-1 Sunday night at the ShoWare Center behind a four-goal effort from left wing Marcel Noebels.
Noebels' second goal was also the game winner for Seattle and Calvin Pickard only allowed one goal in a crucial game in the Western Conference playoff race.
Everett (27-27-5-4) made the scoreboard's first mark with a power-play goal by Ryan Murray seven seconds into a Silvertips man-advantage. Murray was assisted by Parker Stanfield and Ryan Harrison at 10:08 of the first.
The Silvertips outshot the T-Birds 16-10 in the first period.
During a 1:05 span in the second period, the T-Birds netted two power-play goals to take the 2-1 lead. At 11:39, Luke Lockhart beat Everett goalie Kent Simpson with a wrist-shot top-shelf on Simpson's glove side to tie the game at 1-1. Burke Gallimore and Ryan Button assisted on Lockhart's goal. Then, at 12:44, Noebels slid a backhand shot along the ice during a melee in front of Everett's net. The puck found its way through the mess to light the lamp. Noebels was assisted by Lockhart and Brenden Dillon.
Seattle (23-31-4-5) outshot Everett 14-12 during the second period but the Silvertips held a 28-24 overall shot advantage through 40 minutes of play.
Noebels extended Seattle's lead to 3-1 at 2:10 of the third period. Noebels made just enough contact with a bouncing rebound from a Tyler Alos shot to float the puck into the back of the net. Colin Jacobs also assisted on the goal.
With Everett's goaltender pulled, Noebels scored an empty-net goal from center ice to give Seattle a 4-1 lead at 16:30 of the third. The goal was Noebels' third of the night, a hat trick, and was assisted by Jacobs.
At 18:15 of the third Connor Sanvido fed a wide-open Noebels in front of the Everett net. Noebels faked Simpson left, and in what seemed like slow motion, then went right, beating Simpson to make the game 5-1.
In the third period, Seattle outshot Everett 13-12. The Silvertips outshot the T-Birds 40-37 in regulation.
Pickard (23-29-3-5) faced 40 shots and made 39 saves to earn his 23rd victory of the season.
Simpson (21-20-5-4) made 32 saves on 36 shots.
The T-Birds will host Vancouver Tuesday, March 1, to face the Giants at 7:05 p.m. at the ShoWare Center. Then, they head to Portland Friday, March 4, to face the Winterhawks at 7:00 p.m. They will return home next Saturday, March 5, to host the Everett Silvertips at 7:05 p.m.
SCORING SUMMARY
First period - 1, Everett, Murray 5 (Stanfield, Harrison), 10:08, (PP). Penalties - Hickman, Sea (hooking), 9:59. Winquist, Evt (hooking), 17:42.
Second period - 2, Seattle, Lockhart 19 (Gallimore, Button), 11:39, (PP). 3, Seattle, Noebels 22 (Lockhart, Dillon), 12:44, (PP). Penalties - Sutter, Sea (hooking), 1:33. Erricson, Evt (holding), 10:53. Harrison, Evt (unsportsmanlike conduct), 12:15. Hickman, Sea (major-fighting), 15:33. Walters, Evt (major-fighting), 15:33.
Third period - 4, Seattle, Noebels 23 (Alos, Jacobs), 2:10. 5, Noebels 24 (unassisted), 16:30, (EN). 6, Noebels 25 (Sanvido), 18:15. Penalties - No penalties.
Shots on goal - Seattle 10-14-13 37. Everett 16-12-12 40. Goalies - Seattle, Pickard 40 shots-39 saves (22-29-3-5); Everett, Simpson 32-36 (21-19-5-4). Power plays - Seattle 2-3; Everett 1-2. A - 4,086. Referee - Brett Iverson, Matt Kirk. Linesmen - Trevor Boudreau, Chris Carlson.

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.