Tri-City 4, Everett 1
Published 10:10 pm Friday, August 31, 2012
TALKING POINTS
The Tips took to the ice for the first time in the preseason tonight, and a young lineup wasn’t able to keep up with the Americans. Everett iced a lineup including 14 would-be rookies and just one overager. Tri-City took advantage, taking a 3-0 lead into the third period. Everett picked up its play in the third and got a goal back through Carson Stadnyk, but Tri-City’s Justin Feser scored his second of the game less than a minute later to thwart any comeback attempts.
The second period in particular was all Tri-City. The Americans seemed to win all the puck battles in the second and outshot Everett 14-4. Tri-City finished the game with a 29-22 shot edge, so all that advantage took place in the second.
Everett’s power play was ineffectual, going 0-for-4 and never really threatening. I have yet to see the Tips work on the power play in practice, so that’s not all that surprising.
After the game Everett coach Mark Ferner praised the youngsters, singling out Stadnyk and 16-year-old forwards Dawson Leedahl, Ty Mappin and Tyler Sandhu. He also said the veterans who dressed needed to pick up their games.
On Tri-City’s side I was very surprised by the play of Lucas Nickles. To call Nickles a peripheral figure last season would perhaps be giving him too much credit. But he looked much improved tonight, showing speed and skill I hadn’t seen before.
TURNING POINT
Everett had gained momentum before Stadnyk’s goal, so a comeback seemed possible. However, Feser’s quick reply ended those thoughts.
HIT OF THE DAY
Shortly before Everett’s goal midway through the third, the Tips had a shift where they threw several big hits, but the biggest was when Landon Oslanski flattened Dallin Wolf on a straight-up open-ice hit.
THREE STARS
No stars in the preseason.
BOX SCORE
