Everett 3, Swift Current 2
Published 10:49 pm Wednesday, December 16, 2009
TALKING POINTS
For two periods the Tips looked like they’d solved the problems that had been plaguing them in recent days. Everett took a 3-0 lead with some goals that came as the result of winning battles, and the Tips limited the Broncos to 12 shots on goal.
In the third period Swift Current picked it up while Everett let down, and what seemed destined to be a comfortable Tips victory ended up being a white-knuckler. But, having recently ended a five-game losing streak, Everett will take the win and hope to build off the first two periods.
It was an interesting adjustment made by Swift Current coach Mark Lamb that aided the Broncos’ third-period push. Star center Cody Eakin, fresh off being cut from Canada’s team for the World Junior Hockey Championships, lined up on defense for much of the third period. Not only did it help cover for the absence of veteran defenseman Derek Claffey, out with an upper-body injury, it also put more impetus in Swift Current’s attack. Eakin’s slap-shot goal, which came as a defenseman while playing four-on-four, is what began Swift Current’s surge.
The Tips played again without captain Zack Dailey because of a head injury. In his absence, defenseman Radko Gudas wore the “C” as the stand-in captain.
TURNING POINT
Midway through the first period Everett scored goals just 39 seconds apart — Dan Iwanski slicing in to score off a faceoff and Shane Harper converting after a steal down low by Chris Langkow — to open the scoring and get Everett on track.
HIT OF THE DAY
I didn’t catch which Swift Current player delivered it (I was told it was Michael Stickland), but late in the second period someone just destroyed Harper as Harper released a shot while driving the net. The hit essentially knocked Harper out of the game with an upper-body bruise. Despite skating just one shift in the third period Harper, Everett’s leading scorer, is not expected to miss any games.
THREE STARS
First star: Langkow. A goal and an assist, he was a beast out there tonight.
Second star: Iwanski. Also a goal and an assist, the grinder who doesn’t often find his name on the scoresheet was finally rewarded for his hard work.
Third star: Justin Dowling, Swift Current. Two assists and looked dangerous on the puck.
The Herald’s honorable mention: not applicable. With Everett general manager Doug Soetaert not in attendance and Tips director of business operations Zoran Rajcic not in his customary spot in the press area, I guess they just decided to use my stars tonight.
BOX SCORE
