On deck: Game 7, i.e. hockey Nirvana

Published 4:35 pm Sunday, March 28, 2010

Game 7. It’s generally considered the greatest thing going in hockey. And we’ve got one coming to town Monday night when the Tips play host to the Kelowna Rockets to decide their first-round playoff series.

Amazingly, this is the first Game 7 for Everett since 2005, as well as just the third in franchise history. It’s also the first one ever played in Everett. So this is the first time Tips fans get the opportunity to experience Game 7 in person.

Everett is a perfect 2-0 in Game 7s, beating Kelowna 2-1 in overtime to win the Western Conference championship in 2004, then beating Portland 3-2 in the first round in 2005.

However, only one Everett player has ever been involved in a Game 7 in the WHL. Center Chris Langkow had a goal and an assist in a losing effort when the Saskatoon Blades lost Game 7 5-3 against the Lethbridge Hurricanes in the first round last year. For fifth-year Tips Zack Dailey and Shane Harper it’s their first taste of Game 7.

On Kelowna’s side, five players remain from the Rockets team that experienced Game 7 in the first round of the 2008 playoffs. Collin Bowman, Tyson Barrie, Evan Bloodoff, Brandon McMillan and Lucas Bloodoff all took part in Kelowna’s 4-2 loss to Seattle in Game 7. Also, Geordie Wudrick was involved in Swift Current’s 4-1 Game 7 loss to Medicine Hat in the first round last season.

Game 7. It’s as good as it gets.