Everett 4, Vancouver 3 (SO)

Published 11:08 pm Saturday, September 26, 2009

TALKING POINTS

Now that was some thrilling stuff.

Two teams playing hard, back-and-forth action, leads gained and lost, a tying goal with a minute left, good stuff in the shootout and a great crowd to back it all up. That’s the way every home opener should be.

Impressive back-to-back victories over Vancouver for Everett. After the offseason turmoil, two victories in eight days over arguably the top organization in the WHL constitutes a good start to the season. Now the Tips are off for 10 days, if you can believe it. Odd schedule for the first few weeks.

For those of you who keep track of these things, Zack Dailey was still wearing the “C” and was announced during player introductions as the captain for the second straight season, so I think it’s safe to say he’s going to remain in that role. He earned the title tonight (see below). However, there were different alternates tonight as Chris de la Lande and Kellan Tochkin wore the “A”s.

Also the Tips operations staff unveiled their new toy, the Fanboni. The Tips dug up the old rundown zamboni at Lynnwood Ice Center and tricked it out, complete with flashing lights, 47-inch television screen on the front and a deck on top that can accommodate about a dozen riders. The Tips will be giving rides during intermissions for those who contribute to charitable organizations, so if you ever wanted to ride the zamboni, now there’s an avenue. It’s actually pretty cool.

One last thing. This was Craig Hartsburg’s first game coaching at Comcast Arena, so it was his first time experiencing the atmosphere. Here’s what he had to say about it:

“The crowd was great. It was the first night for myself in this building and it’s a great building. The fans were outstanding and it’s going to be fun with them behind us all year.”

TURNING POINT

It seemed lost for Everett when Vancouver’s J.T. Barnett scored with 4:59 remaining to give the Giants, who trailed 2-0 in the first period, a 3-2 lead. However, with 1:00 remaining Dailey’s shot from the right slot was deflected by a stick into the air. It floated harmlessly toward goal, but Vancouver goalie Jamie Tucker never saw it and it fluttered over his head and nestled into the back of the net to tie it at 3-3. Everett went on to win in the shootout.

HIT OF THE DAY

Late in the first period Everett’s Markus McCrea and Vancouver’s David Musil met head on behind in the Vancouver net, with McCrea winning that particular battle as Musil was put on his back.

THREE STARS

First star: Dailey. The crucial goal and an assist, Hartsburg couldn’t say enough good things about his effort out there tonight.

Second star: Thomas Heemskerk, Everett. 34 saves, he had a very good game tonight. Not perfect, but very good.

Third star: Radko Gudas, Everett. A goal and an assist, he came with the reputation of a hard hitter, but he has a surprising amount of skill, too.

The Herald’s honorable mention: Barnett. Two goals. After scoring just one goal in 38 games last season he has six in Vancouver’s first five this season.