Road trip report
Published 8:46 pm Saturday, November 8, 2008
Everett is halfway through its longest road trip of the season, getting four points from the first three games of its swing through the East Division, thanks to a victory over Regina and overtime losses to Saskatoon and Prince Albert. However, the Tips are also left ruing missed opportunities. Here’s some some thoughts at the halfway mark:
THE GOOD
– The Tips are finally getting something on the road. Everett managed just three points from its first seven road games of the season, so four points from three games is a good return.
– Goaltender Shayne Barrie seems to be finding his game. Barrie really hadn’t found his legs yet this season, but he gave up just two goals in his two games, stopping 58 of the 60 shots he faced.
– Everett’s penalty kill has returned. Killing at an abysmal 75 percent going into the trip, the Tips have killed off all 16 opposing power plays so far and scored twice while short-handed.
THE BAD
– Everett’s top line hasn’t done anything. Two of Daniel Bartek’s three goals came on the penalty kill, while Kyle Beach and Shane Harper each have just one assist, both of those coming on the same Bartek empty-net goal. The Tips tried replacing Harper with Dale Hunt on the top line Saturday, but to no immediate effect. Everett’s best players need to play like it.
– Everett may have sorted out its penalty kill, but the power play is struggling. The Tips are just 1-for-18 with the advantage so far in the trip, making for a mixed special-teams bag.
THE UGLY
A point doesn’t get much worse than Everett 4-3 overtime loss at Prince Albert tonight. If I recall correctly, the last time the Tips couldn’t hold a 3-0 third-period victory was a certain Game 5 against Prince George in the 2006 playoffs. Anything that harkens back to that game is bad news for the Tips. We’ll see if the Tips can avoid shell shock during Tuesday afternoon’s game at Brandon.
