Strong week for Tips
Published 5:56 pm Monday, November 19, 2007
Well I’m impressed.
Everett coach John Becanic admitted following Sunday’s 4-2 victory at Chilliwack that he thought the Tips might have arrived at this point having lost seven straight, and had anyone asked me I probably would have agreed. A banged up team, playing four in five nights immediately upon returning from its longest road trip of the season, and facing three really tough teams. It seemed a recipe for disaster for the Tips.
But somehow the Tips come away with seven points from a possible eight. I doubt anyone was predicting that against the B.C. Division gauntlet of Chilliwack, Kelowna and Vancouver.
Anyway, here’s some thoughts from the week that was, with a heavy emphasis on Sunday’s game:
– Something seemed to click when the trio of Vitali Karamnov, Jordan Mistelbacher and Lukas Vartovnik were put on a line together. Although they haven’t done any scoring, they’re laying big hits and keeping opponents pinned in their own zone. You could suggest they’re evolving into the new “Joe” line, but I don’t remember the Joes being able to keep the puck in the offensive zone for as long these guys have.
– It was good to see Zach Hamill stickhandle his way to the opening goal last night. Those were the skills of an eighth-overall pick in the NHL draft, and the Tips could use a little more of that.
– It’s amazing Kyle Beach’s abilities to take punishment without incurring any real damage, particularly in Chilliwack. Last night was the second time I’ve watched Beach get carried off the ice at Prospera Centre — last night it looked like he wrenched either a hip or his back after crashing into his own goal, the previous time he was one-punched by Cody Smuk in a fight and had to go to the hospital for X-rays and a concussion check. Both times I watched thinking, “Well, he’s done for a while.” But both times he somehow escaped unscathed, and last night he even returned to score two goals. I can’t imagine he’s hurting his draft stock at all.
– Good bounceback game in goal for Shayne Barrie last night. He made a lot of good saves and did a lot to erase the memory of his last outing, when he gave up eight goals to Kootenay.
– Cameron Abney’s debut for the Tips last night was more of a cameo. He only saw a few shifts, and although he appeared on the pregame listings as skating on a line with Hamill and Beach, he never did skate with those two.
– Somebody, please, turn up the heat at Prospera Centre!
– Oh, I almost forgot. Man, I like Kelowna’s team. How can a team that doesn’t have an impact player older than 18 be that good?
