Red Deer 2, Everett 0
Published 10:39 pm Tuesday, November 9, 2010
TALKING POINTS
What’s the best way to describe this game? Well, it was one of those where afterwards the losing coach talked about how well his team played and the winning coach talked about how poorly his team played. It was one of those nights for the Tips.
Everett, playing its fourth game in five nights, showed no sign of fatigue. The Tips were solid on the forecheck and had the majority of the possession, outshooting the Rebels 34-22.
However, the Tips just seem to be missing the cutting edge. When Everett worked the puck into something resembling scoring position tonight, the puck bobbled off a stick or ricocheted too hard off a skate. This was especially visible on the power play, where the Tips continued to struggle, going 0-for-4. Kellan Tochkin in particular seemed to be fighting the puck tonight.
Red Deer, which moved into a tie with Saskatoon for first place in the Eastern Conference, was there for the taking. Instead, the Tips lost their third straight and have won just twice in their past 13. By all accounts Everett played three quality games during this four-in-five, but came away with just two points.
Byron Froese, who was traded from Everett to Red Deer during the offseason, made his return to Comcast Arena tonight. It was good to hear him get a nice ovation when announced during the starting lineups.
Finally, Everett general manager Doug Soetaert informed me tonight that Tips head coach Craig Hartsburg is back home. Hartsburg, who underwent heart surgery last Wednesday, was discharged Sunday. It’s good to hear things are going well in the recovery process.
TURNING POINT
I’m not sure I would call it the turning point so much as the decisive point. Early in the third period Everett trailed 1-0 when Red Deer’s Tyson Ness dispossed Everett defenseman Rasmus Rissanen in the neutral zone, then beat goalie Kent Simpson with a shot to the near post. That goal, from its timing to its nature, was a back-breaker.
HIT OF THE DAY
Midway through the second period Red Deer’s Matt Dumba leveled Josh Winquist with a big shoulder check from the side.
THREE STARS
First star: Darcy Kuemper, Red Deer. 34 saves for his third shutout of the season, he made some nice stops but nothing that made me go, “wow.”
Second star: Ryan Murray, Everett. Controlled a lot of the game from the point tonight.
Third star: Dumba. Had a pretty good game for a 16-year-old defenseman.
The Herald’s honorable mention: Landon Ferraro, Everett. Deserved a better fate for his efforts against his former team.
BOX SCORE
