Everett 2, Seattle 0
Published 11:01 pm Friday, February 29, 2008
TALKING POINTS
There are two types of shutouts in hockey. There are the shutouts where the goaltender just sort of kicks back because the opposing team never gets a good sniff of goal, and then there are the shutouts where the goalie has to earn it with every save.
It was fitting that Everett’s Leland Irving put himself into the record book with one of the latter.
Irving was sensational tonight in recording his 21st career shutout, matching the regular season record held by Bryan Bridges (Dustin Slade has more when playoff shutouts are factored in with I believe 26; Irving has 24 including the playoffs).
Everett inched within two points of Seattle for fourth place in the Western Conference, and Kelowna remains wedged in between. Still a long haul if the Tips want to earn home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs, but this was the first step.
TURNING POINT
Midway through the first period with the game scoreless Seattle’s Bud Holloway raced through on a breakaway. However, Irving spread eagle to make the save, setting the tone for his performance.
HIT OF THE DAY
Seattle’s Scott Jackson leveled Lukas Vartovnik when the two collided head on late in the second period.
THREE STARS
First star: Irving, Everett. 37 saves and a piece of WHL history.
Second star: Dane Crowley, Everett. Set up Everett’s second goal with a mad dash up ice, and once again absorbed a ton of minutes at the back.
Third star: Jacob DeSerres, Seattle. 35 saves, not as good as Irving, but close.
The Herald’s honorable mention: Holloway, Seattle. Was dangerous throughout and particularly menacing on the penalty kill.
LINEUP NOTES
Everett added another defenseman to its injury list as Chris de la Lande suffered a leg injury during practice Thursday. He joined Taylor Ellington (foot) and Mike Alexander (shoulder) on the sidelines. De la Lande’s injury necessitated a quick turnaround for Paul Sohor. The call-up defenseman had returned home to Winnipeg, Manitoba, only to be rushed back to Everett. Forwards Tyler Eskesen and Eric English were healthy scratches.
Seattle was missing center Charles Wells (knee) and defenseman Steve Chaffin (concussion) because of injury. The T-birds called up 15-year-old left wing Chance Lund, the teams’ fourth-round pick in the 2007 bantam draft, to round out the lineup.
