Everett 7, Portland 1

Published 10:49 pm Wednesday, November 19, 2008

TALKING POINTS

Man, it was nice seeing a game in person again. Eighteen days since the Tips last played at home and I was to the point where I wasn’t sure what to do with myself. Another couple days and I would have been sitting in the stands at Olympicview, laptop in hand, banging away at NORPAC game stories, just to stay in practice.

And the Tips sure put on a show for the home fans in their return. Constant offense all night with seven different players finding the net. That’s the second time that’s happened this season. Can you believe it? So much for the preseason prognistactions (including my own) that this team was going to struggle to find offense.

This was also the first chance for us to see the new-look Portland Winter Hawks under the guidance of Mike Johnston. Frankly, they looked a lot like the old-look Winter Hawks tonight. However, it was also Portland’s fifth game in six nights, so the Hawks were understandably fatigued. I suspect we’ll see a different team in the rematch Friday.

Speaking of the rematch, we’ll see what becomes of the skirmish that broke out at the end of the game. I didn’t see it personally. But what I do know is that there was a livid Kyle Beach barking at Tayler Jordan, a broken stick on the ice, an immediate retaliation by Taylor Ellington, and major penalties and game misconducts assessed to Jordan and Ellington. We’ll see if either of those players gets suspended for Friday’s game. If it ends up being one-for-one, that’s a major advantage to Portland.

One final thought. Kent Simpson made his third straight start in goal for the Tips. Hmmm …..

TURNING POINT

This one was pretty much over before it started. Portland was tired from its busy schedule, and when Chris de la Lande scored 5:37 into the game on the power play it was off to the races for the Tips.

HIT OF THE DAY

Midway through the third period Jordan just leveled Paul Van de Velde with an open-ice hit, popping Van de Velde straight down onto his back.

THREE STARS

First star: Kellan Tochkin, Everett. Three assists and really pulled the strings out there.

Second star: Shane Harper, Everett. A power-play all-star tonight with a goal and two assists as the Tips went a perfect 3-for-3 with the advantage.

Third star: de la Lande. A goal and an assist doubled his season offensive output.

The Herald’s honorable mention: Zack Dailey, Everett. I’m not sure I’ve seen a forward who didn’t record a point have so much impact on a 7-1 result.

LINEUP NOTES

Everett was without key checking forward Jesse Burt because of a non-disclosed lower-body injury. Burt suffered the injury blocking a shot during last Friday’s 3-2 victory at Swift Current. He joined defenseman Shayne Brown (hip flexor) on the injured list. Forwards Tyler Parker and Cameron Abney were healthy scratches.

Portland is missing forwards Jason Grecica (knee) and Nick Dietrich (wrist) to long-term injuries. Forward Joel Ridgeway and defensemen Ryan Kerr, Stefan Schneider and David Watt were healthy scratches.