Spokane 5, Everett 2
Published 11:09 pm Friday, December 9, 2011
TALKING POINTS
The Silvertips keep coming up with new and creative ways to lose games. Tonight Everett played pretty well for two periods — with the notable exception of a 1:21 span midway through the second — and Everett’s young players performed well. As a result the Tips trailed just 3-2 heading into the third, and there was a feel that Everett had a real chance in this one. Then Everett received two power plays early in the third to give the Tips a golden chance to tie it.
But just as the second of those power plays expired, Ryan Harrison had the puck and tried to begin the breakout of his own zone. He skated out in front of his own goal, and he and goaltender Kent Simpson had a terrible communication breakdown as they couldn’t decide who was going to play the puck. It ended up going to Spokane’s Anthony Bardaro, and although Simpson made a miracle diving save to deny Bardaro, Collin Valcourt was there to put in the rebound. That goal was the back breaker.
The loss was Everett’s eighth straight, which matches the longest in franchise history. The other one came during January of 2009.
Everett captain Ryan Murray made his return tonight after missing more than seven weeks because of a sprained ankle. Murray played pretty much a full game. Early on he looked rusty. Later in the game, particularly during one shift in the third, he looked like his old self. Afterward he said his ankle held up pretty well.
Of course, now he’s gone again. Murray heads out Saturday for Canada’s tryouts for the World Junior Hockey Championships, and if he makes that team as expected he won’t be back until January. For the Tips it was great to have Murray back, but it was kind of a tease.
TURNING POINT
See above.
HIT OF THE DAY
Midway through the second period Spokane’s Corbin Baldwin leveled Trent Lofthouse in the neutral zone just as the puck arrived. That hit eventually led to Spokane’s third goal, which made it 3-1.
THREE STARS
First star: Bardaro. Two goals and one assist, made the most of his chances.
Second star: Brenden Kichton, Spokane. Two assists, played the role of the distributor.
Third star: JT Barnett, Everett. One goal and one assist, the Tips need him to be productive.
The Herald’s honorable mention: Lofthouse. Saw lots of ice time and was the standout among Everett’s rookies.
BOX SCORE
