Seattle 3, Everett 2 (OT)
Published 10:58 pm Friday, February 4, 2011
TALKING POINTS
A huge comeback for Seattle tonight and a missed opportunity for the Tips. Everett led 2-0 after two periods and was controlling play. But the T-birds staged a spirited rally in the third to tie it, then won it in overtime.
This one may have saved Seattle’s season. The T-birds had lost nine straight to fall into the Western Conference cellar and were in danger of sinking into irrelevancy. But now Seattle is right back in the thick of the race for a playoff spot.
Everett still got a point out of the defeat, but that’s small consolation. The Tips not only lost out on a point, they were unable to put further distance between themselves and one of the teams chasing them for a playoff spot. That three-point swing could be huge when all is said and done, especially since Everett’s run-in is as difficult as anyone’s with 11 of its final 15 games on the road. The Tips need to be building a cushion now so there’s some room for error down the stretch.
TURNING POINT
The first shift of the third period told the story. Seattle came out with determination, keeping the Tips pinned, and eventually Burke Gallimore put a shot off the post that rebounded off the back of Everett goaltender Kent Simpson and into the goal, making it a one-goal game. Seattle had momentum from there.
HIT OF THE DAY
Not much of note tonight.
THREE STARS
First star: Calvin Pickard, Seattle. 32 saves, did what he had to do.
Second star: Marcel Noebels. Two goals and an assist, including the tying and game-winning goals. He was the most-dangerous player on the ice.
Third star: Simpson. 29 saves, had to make more-difficult saves than Pickard.
The Herald’s honorable mention: Ryan Harrison, Everett. One assist, had a jump to his game.
BOX SCORE
