Game 4: Tri-City 4, Everett 3 (OT), Tri-City advances
Published 11:18 pm Wednesday, March 28, 2012
TALKING POINTS
A valiant effort by the Tips, but they ran out of gas and saw their season come to an end. Everett was essentially playing for pride, down 3-0 in the best-of-seven series against the top seed in the Western Conference. The Tips could have mailed it in, but instead they produced their best effort of the series. Everett was playing hard and playing physical, but still trailed 3-0 in the third period. However, the Tips rallied, tying it on Josh Caron’s power-play goal with just 40.4 seconds remaining in regulation. Both teams had chances in OT, but it was Tri-City that prevailed on Zach Yuen’s one-timer with 1:07 left in OT after the Tips had been severely long shifted.
At the end the Tips on the ice were completely spent, each of them going down to one knee and remaining prone for about a minute. There was a modest crowd at Comcast Arena tonight, but they gave the team a standing ovation worthy of a sellout.
In the end this Tri-City team was just too skilled for Everett. Tonight’s game was a perfect illustration. The Tips outshot the Americans for the first time in the series (45-39), yet despite having more of the puck in the first two periods, Everett trailed 3-0. That’s what skill can do for you.
This is the fifth straight year Everett has been eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. Three of those first-round defeats have been sweeps. The Tips are 4-20 during that stretch. In contrast Tri-City has advanced past the first round five straight years.
It looks as though Tips winger Ryan Harrison will be starting his overage season on the sidelines. Harrison took his second major penalty in two games, this time for charging on a hit that left Tri-City’s Marcus Messier woozy and needing assistance off the ice. Harrison had just returned from a one-game suspension for an interference major taken in Game 2. While I thought the major call in Game 2 may have been harsh, there was no doubt about this one. He’ll be getting a suspension that carries over into next season.
TURNING POINT
Everett had cut the lead to 3-1 when Harrison took his major penalty at 8:39 of the third period, giving Tri-City a five-minute power play. That seemed the kiss of death for Everett. However, 31 seconds into the power play the Tips broke the other direction. Ryan Murray jumped into the play from his defensive position, took a delicate pass from Cody Fowlie, then roofed a backhander to make it a one-goal game and energize both the team and the crowd.
HIT OF THE DAY
For much of the game Harrison was a wrecking ball, making legal hits, and his best came early in the first period when he bowled over Michal Plutnar behind the Tri-City goal.
THREE STARS
First star: Murray. One goal, one assist and probably 40-plus minutes logged. Everett may have been swept, but Murray was immense in the series, scoring three of Everett’s six goals and assisting on two of the others, all while playing against Tri-City’s top forwards. I hope Everett fans appreciated Murray, because it’s a good bet he won’t be back for his 19-year-old season.
Second star: Mason Wilgosh, Tri-City. One goal and two assists, he’s a player who helps his team win, regardless of whether he’s on the scoresheet.
Third star: Ty Rimmer, Tri-City. 42 saves, played a very strong game in net for the Americans.
The Herald’s honorable mention: Brendan Shinnimin, Tri-City. One goal and one assist, he may not win any popularity contests, but he makes you hold your breath every time he has the puck on his stick.
BOX SCORE
SERIES SCHEDULE
Game 1: Tri-City 7, Everett 2
Game 2: Tri-City 3, Everett 1
Game 3: Tri-City 4, Everett 0
Game 4: Tri-City 4, Everett 3 (OT) (Tri-City wins series 4-0)
