TALKING POINTS
Well, the roller coaster ride continues for the Silvertips. So far Everett has played four games since coach Mark Ferner was fired last week. The Tips are 2-2 in those games, winning by scores of 7-4 and 5-1, and losing by scores of 8-0 and 6-1.
Tonight’s game was ill-tempered (five fights), and Everett had its issues. The Tips really had a hard time getting the puck out of their own end at times, which accounts for Seattle’s 45-23 shot advantage. But Austin Lotz was very strong in goal for Everett, and the T-birds squandered some chances.
At the other end, Everett was pretty lethal. Leading the way was the duo of Ryan Harrison and Kohl Bauml. Harrison and Bauml had great chemistry during the second half of last season, but that had yet to really materialize this season, in large part because of games missed by both of them. But they showed their form from last season tonight, combining for three goals and three primary assists.
Everett also had its best special-teams performance in a long time. The Tips actually looked pretty good on the power play tonight, going 2-for-5. And one game after allowing Tri-City to go 3-for-3 on the power play, the Tips held the T-birds scoreless on four advantages.
The Tips caught a bit of a break in that Seattle overage goalie Brandon Glover was unavailable because of the flu, meaning 16-year-old rookie Danny Mumaugh was forced to make the start. You can bet Seattle coach Steve Konowalchuk would have preferred to have his veteran in net as the T-birds attempted to end their skid, which has now reached 15 games. Konowalchuk also benched star defenseman Shea Theodore in the third period.
On the downside, Everett lost another defenseman to injury today. Austin Adam went off injured in the first period after being hit into the boards and did not return. Tips general manager Garry Davidson said Adam “had his bell rung” and will be out the remainder of the weekend. Fellow blueliner Ayrton Nikkel also left the game injured during the second period, but returned in the third. Landon Oslanski finished the game on defense after beginning it at forward.
TURNING POINT
Everett weathered a storm during the second half of the first period. The T-birds tied it at 1-1 midway through the first — moments after Everett had a goal waived off — and had several other good scoring chances the remainder of the period. But Lotz made several good saves, Roberts Lipsbergs missed an open net, and the Tips survived. Harrison restored Everett’s lead 5:00 into the second period, sparking a three-goal period for the Tips.
THREE STARS
First star: Bauml. Two goals and one assist, scored both of Everett’s power-play goals.
Second star: Harrison. One goal and two assists, combined well with Bauml.
Third star: Lotz. 44 saves, Although I didn’t vote him the first star, I would have had no qualms had he been selected.
The Herald’s honorable mention: Joshua Winquist, Everett. One goal and one assist, also had a breakaway goal waived off as a fight broke out behind the play just as he scored.
BOX SCORE
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