Everett 4, Spokane 0

Published 10:47 pm Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Everett 4, Spokane 0

Talking points

First off, congratulations to John Becanic for his first WHL win as a head coach. It was nice to see him get a big hug from his dad following the game.

Secondly, here’s hoping Zack Dailey is all right. Quite frightening to see a player convulsing on the ice after taking a hit up high. Good to see him able to acknowledge the crowd as he was being stretchered off the ice.

As for the game itself, it was yet another step forward for the Tips. They’re not all the way back yet — the defense still had its moments — but Leland Irving finally looked like himself in goal and the offensive players did some incredible things tonight (see below for more on that).

Of note, Becanic continued to tinker with his lines. Kyle Beach was reunited with Zach Hamill, taking Dan Gendur’s spot on the right with Lukas Vartovnik playing on the left. Ondrej Fiala moved to the middle, centering Gendur and Jordan Mistelbacher. It was also interesting to see Beach taking faceoffs ahead of Hamill on the power play. Also, defenseman Chris de la Lande made his WHL debut for the Tips, generally making the right play but also looking like he could use a little more strength.

Turning point

Not just the turning point of the game, but perhaps the turning point of the early season for Everett. The Tips continued to struggle in the first period and needed Irving to be at his best to emerge with a scoreless tie. Then 1:24 into the second Beach scored an unbelievable goal on the power play, picking up the puck on the blade of his stick and stuffing it in from behind the net. Immediately the momentum turned, and things started going Everett’s way in a manner that was completely absent during the first four games of the season.

Hit of the day

Everett’s Jonathan Harty crushed a Spokane player into the boards during the second period, not sure who.

Three stars

First star: Kyle Beach, Everett. What more can you say. He’s been Everett’s best player so far this season and he reinforced that with his amazing goal.

Second star: Zach Hamill, Everett. Finally looked like the defending league scoring champ with a goal and two assists. His goal, a short-handed breakaway, was the back breaker that made it 3-0.

Third star: Leland Irving, Everett. The real Leland Irving has finally arrived in Everett, having been misplaced at some airport somewhere between here and Calgary, Russia or wherever.

The Herald’s honorable mention: Matt Ius, Everett. Did some great defensive work, especially blocking shots, while Everett was on the back heel in the first period.

Scratches

For Everett, defenseman Dane Crowley was away at a funeral. Goaltender David Reekie is sick. Center Vitali Karamnov was the odd man out among the three Euros. Forwards Jesse Burt, Morgan MacLean and Eric English and defensemen Jeff Regier and Eddie Friesen were healthy scratches.

For Spokane, Forward Cody Esposito, defensemen Jace Coyle and Stefan Ulmer and goaltender James Reid were healthy scratches.