Everett 4, Seattle 2
Published 11:06 pm Saturday, February 20, 2010
TALKING POINTS
I have a hard time believing I’m writing this, but the Tips are back in the race for the U.S. Division title. Everett overcame a 2-0 deficit to pull it out in Kent tonight, and Tri-City fell 2-1 at home against Spokane. That means the Tips are just three points out of the division lead. A week ago I would have said a division title was out of the question. Now, with 10 games remaining in the season, it’s a real possibility.
And yet, it’s still a real possibility the Tips could finish fourth. Spokane and Portland both won tonight, meaning just six points now separate first and fourth in the division. It’s shaping up to be an amazing stretch run.
This was not an easy victory for Everett, but good work on the power play was key as the Tips went 3-for-4, including the rare power-play empty-net goal. That goal was scored by Shane Harper, his 37th of the season. He now is just one away from the single-season franchise record of 38 set by John Lammers in 2005-06.
I feel bad for Seattle as this was the T-birds’ 17th straight defeat. Seattle’s last win came on Jan. 9, a 4-1 victory over Prince George. Watching this team it’s hard to fathom that it hasn’t won in six weeks. Eight of Seattle’s 17 losses during the streak are by one goal (and tonight’s was essentially a one-goal game) and five came in overtime, including the previous two. This team isn’t as bad as its record, at least it isn’t when it plays Everett.
TURNING POINT
Everett trailed 2-0 and appeared in trouble when the Tips struck twice in the span of 2:15 — Tyler Maxwell and Dan Iwanski both scoring on rebounds — to tie it up and make it a new game.
HIT OF THE DAY
Nothing earth shattering tonight. Everett’s Zack Dailey had a notable hit when knocking down Mitch Elliot (or was it Chance Lund?) early in the third period, if only because of the difference in size.
THREE STARS
First star: Byron Froese, Everett. A goal and an assist, his goal was the tiebreaker early in the third period.
Second star: Brenden Silvester, Seattle. One assist on a nice play to set up Seattle’s first goal.
Third star: Lund. Finished off Silvester’s assist.
The Herald’s honorable mention: Kent Simpson, Everett. 30 saves and somehow put up a wall on two mad scrambles late in the third period.
BOX SCORE
