Tri-City 3, Everett 0
Published 11:13 pm Friday, December 18, 2009
TALKING POINTS
Honestly, the Tips didn’t play a bad game tonight. Everett generated some pressure in the Tri-City zone, didn’t allow a goal while skating at even strength, and goaltender Kent Simpson had a solid outing. However, the Tips were not sharp in front of goal tonight, and Americans goaltender Drew Owsley was very good. Tri-City’s forwards were also buzzing. The Americans don’t have any offensive superstars, but they have a nice collection of offensive options.
After the game Everett coach Craig Hartsburg said the Tips need to be hungrier in front of net. I think that’s a accurate statement. You don’t see Everett banging in a lot of rebound goals in the midst of traffic.
Special teams have been the bane of Everett’s existence this season, so it’s no surprise they were the difference tonight. Tri-City scored on the power play when Brooks Macek was allowed to stickhandle through traffic, and the Americans scored short-handed after an error by Ryan Murray sent Tri-City on a two-on-one. Everett is now 0-for-its-last-28 on the power play.
Tomorrow is the final game of the first half as the Tips travel to Chilliwack. They’ll need to find that hunger on offense if they want to go into the Christmas break on a winning note.
TURNING POINT
Everett played a strong first nine minutes, but couldn’t convert any of its scoring chances. Then Tri-City scored on its first real scoring chance at 9:30, Macek’s stickhandling setting up a goal by Justin Feser to open the scoring. The Americans had more of the play after that.
HIT OF THE DAY
Late in the second period Everett’s Paul Sohor dropped Patrick Holland with a check to the chest as Holland tried to enter the offensive zone. That hit was vintage Jonathan Harty.
THREE STARS
First star: Owsley. 32 saves, I can see why he’s received so much playing time this season.
Second star: Feser. A goal and an assist, he was dangerous all night.
Third star: Simpson. 37 saves, he did everything he could to keep Everett in it.
The Herald’s honorable mention: Macek. One assist, he wasn’t listed by Central Scouting in the preliminary rankings, but I think he’ll be drafted in June.
BOX SCORE
