Everett 4, Kamloops 3 (SO)
Published 11:08 pm Wednesday, November 18, 2009
TALKING POINTS
The Tips did it the hard way tonight. Three times Everett fell behind, and three times the Tips tied it back up. Everett even fell behind in the shootout before winning it 2-1.
The Tips had some jump tonight, beating the Blazers to loose pucks more often than not. However, Everett squandered early power plays, and Kamloops received a strong game from goaltender Jon Groenheyde.
The Tips also came up with a key penalty kill late in the game (see below). And Everett continues to be money in shootouts. Kellan Tochkin made his tally in the shootout look way too easy, and Shane Harper did well to avoid Groenheyde’s poke check and score while tumbling to the ice.
Finally, a word about Radko Gudas. He continues to blow opponents up on a regular basis (see below), but almost every time he dishes out one of these LEGAL open-ice hits he gets jumped. He doesn’t really fight back, just kind of holds on, and ends up sitting in the box for five minutes. Is this right?
But it was a precious moment after the fight when the video-screen camera panned to Gudas in the box and the crowd started cheering, bringing a smile to Gudas’ face.
TURNING POINT
With the score tied 3-3 late in the third period, Everett’s Alex Theriau and Gudas were whistled for penalties 1:19 apart, giving the Blazers a five-on-three. Kamloops had chances, but the Tips survived thanks to some timely saves by Thomas Heemskerk and some pucks sliding wide. That kill is what got the game to overtime and the shootout.
RADKO GUDAS HIT OF THE DAY
Midway through the third period Gudas lined up Brendan Ranford and nailed him with a shoulder as Ranford skated into the neutral zone. The hit of the year any other year, but just another night on the job for Gudas.
NON-RADKO GUDAS HIT OF THE DAY
Harper, of all people, put a nice lick on Brett Lyon with a shoulder charge in the corner, drawing a retaliatory cross check from Lyon.
THREE STARS
First star: Tyler Maxwell, Everett. Two goals, and could have had more of not for Groenheyde.
Second star: Groenheyde. 40 saves, a couple of which were highway robbery.
Third star: Byron Froese, Everett. Two assists and had chances in close.
The Herald’s honorable mention: Jimmy Bubnick, Kamloops. Two goals on a pair of nice wrist shots.
BOX SCORE
