Portland 3, Everett 2 (OT)
Published 10:53 pm Saturday, October 4, 2014
TALKING POINTS
The Tips dropped one at home in overtime for the second straight night, as Alex Schoenborn scored in OT to give Portland the victory.
The shift during which the game-winning goal was scored was a bad one for Everett, and Tips coach Kevin Constantine made an astute observation following the game about the nature of the goal. This season hockey has changed the set-up for overtime, with the teams changing ends for the extra period. The result is that the teams play OT with the long change. The idea is that will increase the likelihood of a goal being scored. Tonight that was exactly the case. Everett’s defensemen got caught in a long shift, they turned the puck over multiple times in their own end, and Portland wound up with multiple scoring chances in close. Tips goaltender Carter Hart stopped three of those, but Schoenborn banked the puck off Hart and in for the winner. Credit the OT long change with an assist on the game winner.
Portland deserved the win. The Winterhawks could have scored any number of goals in the second period, but Hart stopped two breakaways and Portland twice drew iron. I’m still not sure how Everett outscored the Winterhawks 2-1 in the second.
This was a much-needed win for Portland. The four-time defending WHL Western Conference champion was in uncharted territory after dropping its first six games of the season. The relief was palpable as the Winterhawks celebrated this one like a playoff overtime winner. The win was also the first of Portland coach Jamie Kompon’s WHL career.
Nikita Scherbak scored again for Everett. That’s three goals in two games for him since joining the team.
The Tips may not have won this weekend, but I’m not sure they’re complaining much. Everett probably would have taken two points in games against Kelowna and Portland, the top two teams in the conference last season. The Tips probably would have been happy going 2-0-1-0 in their first three games against the Winterhawks, too.
TURNING POINT
Late in the third period Scherbak sure looked like he was tripped, but there was no call — the referees swallowed their whistles all night as just two minors were called all game, one against each team. Give Everett a power play there and the Tips have a chance to either win it in regulation, or get a chance while four-on-three to start OT.
THREE STARS
First star: Layne Viveiros, Portland. Two assists, a generally solid game from him.
Second star: Remi Laurencelle, Everett. One goal, nice batting form on that one as he took the puck out of mid-air.
Third star: Hart. 28 saves, kept the Tips in it in the second period.
The Herald’s honorable mention: Chase De Leo, Portland. One goal, the deflection was pretty special.
BOX SCORE
