Chilliwack 5, Everett 2
Published 10:15 pm Saturday, December 27, 2008
TALKING POINTS
I think the Everett Silvertips were still at the Christmas dinner table tonight, because they sure turned in a turkey.
It’s not unusual for teams to be rusty following the Christmas break, and with Everett having two full weeks between games the Tips were particularly susceptible. But to say the Tips weren’t in game condition is a drastic understatement. Everett wasn’t sharp physically, but it was the mental aspect that was truly absent for the Tips. Everett took all kinds of bad penalties tonight, and the Bruins made them pay dearly. Chilliwack scored on three of its eight power plays, with a fourth goal coming shortly after a penalty expired. Meanwhile the Tips had just three power plays of their own.
Kyle Beach scored for Everett, snapping a nine-game stretch without a goal. However, it didn’t make up for the four minor penalties he took, none of which were necessary.
Meanwhile, Chilliwack’s Ryan Howse put on a show. The first ever bantam draft pick in Bruins history hasn’t always lived up to his billing, but he sure looked the part tonight.
TURNING POINT
Everett was back in the game after Tyler Maxwell scored midway through the second period to cut the deficit to 2-1. But the Bruins got another power play late in the period, and Howse undressed Everett’s Zack Dailey before scoring past Shayne Barrie, restoring Chilliwack’s two-goal lead.
HIT OF THE DAY
Dailey had multiple good hits tonight, with the best coming late in the second period when he nailed James Bettauer hard into the boards at full speed.
THREE STARS
First star: Howse. Three goals and an assist tells the story.
Second star: Brett Ward, Chilliwack. Two assists for the veteran defenseman.
Third star: Bettauer. One assist and part of a solid defensive effort by a team with just five healthy d-men.
The Herald’s honorable mention: Andy Smith, Chilliwack. Didn’t get on the scoresheet, but always looked dangerous.
LINEUP NOTES
Everett was missing a key cog as leading goal scorer Daniel Bartek returned from the break with an infected knee. The Tips hope he’ll be ready to go Wednesday against Red Deer. Dailey took Bartek’s place between Beach and Shane Harper. Defenseman Trevor Bauer, who hasn’t played since being added to the roster in late November because of a shoulder injury, made his debut with the team. Goaltender Kent Simpson is away representing Team Pacific at the U-17 World Hockey Challenge, so Kraymer Barnstable was called up to serve as the backup. Defenseman Shayne Brown (hip flexor) is injured. Forwards Jordan Mistelbacher and Tyler Parker and defenseman Drew McDermott were healthy scratches.
Chilliwack continues to have long-term injury problems with leading scorer Jadon Potter (neck) and defensemen Jesse Craige (shoulder) and Matt Strong (shoulder) all on the shelf. With the Bruins also losing forwards Kevin Sundher (Team Pacific) and Carter Berg (Team Western) to the U-17s, Chilliwack dressed just 17 skaters.
