Game 3: Everett 2, Spokane 1 (2OT)

TALKING POINTS

Jake Mykitiuk wasn’t even in the league when the season started. But he put an indelible stamp on Everett’s season when he scored the winner in the second overtime to win Game 3 for the Tips. It was just his fifth goal in 43 regular season and playoff games with Everett this season.

This was an important victory for Everett. First off, it restored home-ice advantage to the Tips after Spokane wrested it away by earning a split in the first two games in Everett. Second, no one wants to put in the effort that goes along with playing a double-overtime playoff game and come away with nothing. The Tips will be heartened by getting something for their efforts.

This was just the third time in Silvertips history a playoff game has gone to a second overtime, and it was the second-longest game Everett has ever played.

After one-sided final scores in the first two games, this was more the type of game I think most observers expected to see from this series. Both goaltenders played well, and it was tense the entire way.

Everett was unfortunate not to grab the lead in the first period, when the Tips had a couple tap-ins at the far post they were unable to corral. But Everett was fortunate to survive the first overtime when Spokane had a couple premium opportunities to end it.

There were far fewer penalties in this one than the first two games. That’s not surprising, as the score was never out of hand, meaning there was no real opportunity to “send a message” without potential repercussions with regards to the outcome. Interestingly, the only penalty whistled in the overtimes was a stand-alone dive on Everett’s Nikita Scherbak. I have to say I was surprised that kind of call was made, considering the things that weren’t called during sudden death.

TURNING POINT

Everett somehow survived the first overtime, then the Tips won it early in the second. Just 2:07 into double-OT Everett entered the offensive zone with numbers. Ivan Nikolishin carried the puck in on the right, spied Mykitiuk coming down the left, and threaded a pass across. Mykitiuk immediately snapped a shot past Spokane goaltender Garret Hughson to end it.

THREE STARS

First star: Carter Hart, Everett. 45 saves, bounced back strong after getting pulled from Game 2.

Second star: Hughson. 36 saves, rock solid all night.

Third star: Mykitiuk. One goal, it was the winner.

The Herald’s honorable mention: Adam Helewka, Spokane. One goal, had other scoring chances and was strong on the puck.

BOX SCORE

Everett 2, Spokane 1 (2OT)

SERIES SCHEDULE

Game 1: Everett 5, Spokane 1

Game 2: Spokane 6, Everett 2

Game 3: Everett 2, Spokane 1 (2OT) (Everett leads series 2-1)

Game 4: Everett at Spokane, Friday, 7:05 p.m.

Game 5: Spokane at Everett, Saturday, 7:05 p.m.

Game 6 (if necessary): Everett at Spokane, Tuesday, 7:05 p.m.

Game 7 (if necessary): Spokane at Everett, April 8, 7:05 p.m.