Spokane 4, Everett 3 (SO)
Published 11:02 pm Wednesday, February 20, 2008
TALKING POINTS
A bit ironic tonight. When the Tips beat Spokane 3-2 in a shootout last Friday they got two points despite being significantly outplayed. Tonight they played much more even with the Chiefs, yet ended up on the losing end of the shootout stick. But there’s hockey for you.
The Tips did well to earn their point tonight. Everett could have folded after giving up two goals in 28 seconds early in the second period to fall behind 3-1, considering they were playing without three key defensemen. But the Shane Harper-inspired power play got the Tips back in it tonight. Harper scored a pair of nice goals, and I have to think the Everett brass is really happy to see him becoming a regular offensive contributor.
Once again Everett coach John Becanic chose to go for broke in overtime by playing three forwards and just one defenseman. I’m sure part of the rationale was the lack of veteran d-men at his disposal, but he’s done it before when everyone was available, and I’ve got to say it sure is a lot of fun to watch. Incidentally, this ended a stretch of seven straight victories for Everett in games that ended in overtime or a shootout.
TURNING POINT
Trailing 3-1 late in the second period the Tips were on the power play when Spokane defenseman Jared Spurgeon took a cross checking penalty to put the Tips up five-on-three. Zach Hamill scored during the two-man advantage to get Everett back in the game.
HIT OF THE DAY
There wasn’t a whole lot of note tonight. I found myself amused when Spokane’s Dustin Donaghy sort of trampled over Jeff Regier to begin a Spokane break.
THREE STARS
First star: Harper, Everett. Great stickwork for his first goal, great shot on his second.
Second star: Chris Bruton, Spokane. Nice goal, worked hard, and baited one of Everett’s two veteran defensemen (Dane Crowley) into a fight.
Third star: Dustin Tokarski, Spokane. Solid game throughout, not much he could have done on any of Everett’s goals.
The Herald’s honorable mention: Zach Hamill, Everett. A goal and two assists, his second impressive performance in a row.
LINEUP NOTES
Graham Potuer’s suspension forced the Tips to play with just five defensemen as Taylor Ellington (foot) and Mike Alexander (shoulder) remain sidelined. Center Zack Dailey began the game playing the occasional shift on defense, but that was quickly abandoned. Left wing Eric English was the healthy scratch.
Spokane had a pair of centers back in the lineup in Mitch Wahl and Tyler Johnson. Wahl was coming off a two-game suspension, Johnson was back after missing several games because of the flu. Right wing Curtis Kelner remains laid up with his shoulder injury. Defensemen Stefan Ulmer and Brett Bartman were healthy scratches.
