Game 2: Everett 3, Tri-City 2

Published 11:00 pm Saturday, March 21, 2009

TALKING POINTS

The Silvertips need a lot of things to go right to have a chance at winning this first-round series against Tri-City. Tonight they got the most important of those things: quality goaltending. Thomas Heemskerk was outstanding tonight, and he was the main reason the Tips were able to tie up the series at 1-1, despite getting outshot 47-21.

Heemskerk saved his best for last. With about two minutes remaining in regulation a bad turnover by Everett defenseman Trevor Bauer presented the Americans with a two-on-one with a chance to tie it. However, Heemskerk was just able to get a piece of his glove on Taylor Procyshen’s shot, sending the puck into the screen and preserving Everett’s lead, and ultimately the victory.

The other big star for Everett was Tyler Maxwell, who scored a hat trick of power-play goals to provide all of the Tips’ offense. It was a vintage Maxwell night as he scored twice on snap shots from his “spot” in the right slot, and also fired a shot past Tri-City goaltender Chet Pickard when Pickard never even saw the shot released. Maxwell is Mr. opportunistic, and he played that role to perfection tonight.

Another thing that needs to happen for Everett to win the series is the Tips need to take advantage of their power plays. So far so good as the Tips are now 5-for-12 with the advantage in the series.

A few other player observations. First, Tips winger Ryan White has been a different player since the playoffs began. Elevated to the third line, White not only scored twice Friday, he’s hitting anything that moves out there. With Daniel Bartek also playing like a man possessed, that third line has been effective. Finally, Ryan Murray showed his performance wasn’t just a flash in the pan. He started the game tonight alongside Taylor Ellington and once again was one of Everett’s better d-men.

Hard to believe the Tips are an overtime goal away from two road victories to begin the series.