Everett 3, Kelowna 2 (OT)
Published 11:03 pm Friday, November 16, 2007
TALKING POINTS
OK, normally I’m pretty quiet in the press area. It takes something pretty special to cause me to involuntarily verbalize an exclamation. But somehow the Tips managed to coax yelps out of me twice tonight. Kyle Beach’s second goal was probably the best goal I’ve seen all season. Yes, the goals when Beach picked the puck off the ice with his stick and stuffed it in from behind the net were tricky. But the way he simultaneously controlled a bouncing puck, fended off a defender and roofed a shot tonight was exhibit one of why he’ll go so high in next year’s NHL draft. Then it was impossible not to get excited about Zack Dailey’s lightspeed coast-to-coast short-handed dash to win it in overtime.
It was just an exciting game throughout, the polar opposite to Wednesday night’s game against Chilliwack. Back-and-forth, hard hitting, some special goals, the fans definitely got their money’s worth tonight.
Everett’s penalty kill deserves a big pat on the back, too. Four penalties in the final 10 minutes, including 1:24 of five-on-three — with Dane Crowley and Jonathan Harty in the box — and somehow the Tips not only survive, but win with a shorty.
The bad news for Everett was right wing Dan Gendur tweaked his shoulder injury in the third period. He’s considered doubtful for tonight’s game against Vancouver.
Oh, and I still like Kelowna’s team, and I still think Luke Schenn’s a better prospect than Tyler Myers.
In a non game-related note, Everett prospect Kellan Tochkin was named to Team Pacific for the U-17 World Hockey Challenge on Monday. Tochkin is currently tearing it up for the Ridge Meadow Flames in the junior B Pacific International Junior Hockey League with seven goals and nine assists in eight games. He makes it three Everett prospects headed to London, Ontario, from Dec. 29-Jan. 4 as left wing Brett Chartier and defenseman Paul Sohor will play for Team West.
TURNING POINT
In a game that turned so many times, it was the final turn, Dailey’s mad dash, that was the decisive one.
HIT OF THE DAY
The best hit of the night was probably by Kelowna’s Tyler Myers, who flattened Lukas Vartovnik into the boards with a full-speed shoulder charge as Vartovnik was losing his balance. However, led by Jordan Mistelbacher, Everett definitely outhit the Rockets overall, and for the first time this season Eric English was the physical presence he’s capable of being, at least early in the game.
THREE STARS
First star: Kyle Beach, Everett. Can you spell N-H-L?
Second star: Zack Dailey, Everett. Yes, he scored the game winner in dramatic fashion. But his penalty killing leading up to that moment was just as important.
Third star: Zach Hamill, Everett. One of his better games of the season, even if he only had the one assist.
The Herald’s honorable mention: Colin Long, Kelowna. Really good with the puck the entire game, vastly improved from last season.
LINEUP NOTES
For Everett, right wing Matt Ius was back after missing one game with a hip injury. Also, defenseman Jeff Regier was in the lineup for the first time since being recalled Monday. Forward Tyler Skauge remained sidelined because of a concussion. Left wing Tyler Eskesen and defenseman Chris de la Lande were healthy scratches.
For Kelowna, forward Matthew Brusciano was out with a head injury. Forward Dylan Hood and defensemen Riley McIntosh and Kyle Verdino were healthy scratches.
