Game 4: Kelowna 5, Everett 4 (2OT)
Published 11:10 pm Wednesday, March 24, 2010
TALKING POINTS
The Rockets won a double overtime thriller tonight to even up the best-of-seven series at two games apiece. Geordie Wudrick sniped a shot into the top corner on the power play 46 seconds into the second overtime to win it.
It was fitting that a power-play goal won it for Kelowna as the power play has kept the Rockets in the series. The Tips led by two goals in the first period of both games in Kelowna, but were unable to hold those leads in large part because of their inability to kill a penalty. The Rockets were 2-for-3 on the power play tonight and 4-for-5 in the two games in Kelowna. Everett’s penalty kill, which was an Achilles heel during the regular season, looked better in Games 1 and 2. But the Tips reverted in Games 3 and 4.
Overall it was a competitive game in which both teams had numerous scoring chances. It’s remarkable the game didn’t end in the first overtime, when Everett had more of the puck but Kelowna had the better chances. If Kelowna didn’t score on that power play I don’t have a clue what would have happened because both teams were gassed.
So Everett had two opportunities to take control of the series in Kelowna, but couldn’t finish either off, and now it’s a best-of-three.
TURNING POINT
With 40.6 seconds remaining in the first overtime Everett’s Chris Langkow took a tripping penalty — the only penalty in overtime — to put the Rockets on the power play. Given Everett’s struggles on the penalty kill, that was the kiss of death.
HIT OF THE DAY
Early in the first overtime Everett’s Clayton Cumiskey and Kelowna’s Mitchell Callahan collided in the open ice, knocking both players back.
THREE STARS
(Note: These may have been chosen at the end of the third period because they’re not necessarily representative.)
First star: Brett Bulmer, Kelowna. One goal, one assist and I think he’s the player who drew the tripping penalty.
Second star: Langkow. Two assists, but that penalty was costly.
Third star: Spencer Main, Kelowna. One goal and one assist, though his ice time was limited in overtime.
The Herald’s honorable mention: Wudrick. Two goals, both on the power play, and now has four power-play goals in the series.
BOX SCORE
SCHEDULE
Game 1: Everett 5, Kelowna 4 (OT)
Game 2: Everett 5, Kelowna 2
Game 3: Kelowna 5, Everett 3, Everett leads series 2-1
Game 4: Kelowna 5, Everett 4 (2OT)
Game 5: Kelowna at Everett, Friday, 7:35 p.m.
Game 6: Everett at Kelowna, Saturday, 7 p.m.
Game 7 (if necessary): Kelowna at Everett, Monday, 7:05 p.m.
