Kelowna 5, Everett 4 (SO)
Published 11:00 pm Saturday, September 24, 2011
TALKING POINTS
Another day, another shootout loss for the Tips. But you can bet this point felt a lot more gratifying than Friday’s (when the Tips opened the season with a 3-2 shootout defeat at Portland) as Everett scored twice in the final three minutes of regulation to get the game to over
time.
In truth, this was a thrilling game, particularly from the start of the third period onward. Everett gave up two power-play goals in the third as Kelowna went ahead 4-2. But goals from Josh Winquist and Tyler Maxwell 24 second apart in the game’s waning minutes earned the Tips a point. Even the shootout was a thriller as it lasted seven rounds before the Rockets prevailed 3-2.
Two players Everett needs to increase their offensive production this season are Winquist and Josh Birkholz. Winquist scored the goal that cut the deficit to one, and Birkholz made a crazy blind spinning backhand pass to set up the tying goal. So far, so good for those two.
Maxwell scored twice for the Tips, giving him 98 goals in his Everett career. That’s just two shy of the franchise record of 100 held by Shane Harper, so he’ll be claiming that lofty position for himself soon.
Kent Simpson had his first action in goal this season for Everett. He made 32 saves and was mostly solid, but I’m sure he would like the goal Spencer Main scored in the second period back.
Tips center Kohl Bauml was hurt midway through the first period after a hit up high. Bauml skated off under his own power and remained on the bench the rest of the period, but did not return to the bench for the second.
TURNING POINT
It was all but over until Kelowna’s Cody Chikie took a hooking penalty with 2:53 remaining to give the Tips a glimmer of hope. The door cracked and inch and the Tips barged through.
HIT OF THE DAY
Midway through the first period Everett’s Jesse Mychan bowled over Colten Martin.
THREE STARS
First star: Maxwell. His first two goals of the season, and he did some good work checking back on defense.
Second star: Colton Sissons, Kelowna. One goal and worked hard.
Third star: Ryan Murray, Everett. His assist was an impossible pass, but honestly I didn’t think it was Murray’s best game.
The Herald’s honorable mention: Tyson Baillie, Kelowna. Heck of a WHL debut for the 16-year-old as he had a goal and a great assist.
BOX SCORE
