Portland 5, Everett 3
Published 11:00 pm Wednesday, October 6, 2010
TALKING POINTS
Strange goings on at Comcast Arena tonight, and the strangest moment was the most decisive.
Everett was leading 3-2 midway through the third period when Portland’s Ryan Johansen blasted a shot off the rush. The shot caused some minor movement of the Everett net, but not much, and the puck slammed into the glass behind the net having not slowed down a bit. No one on the ice reacted, and play continued for more than two minutes.
The next whistle came at the timeout, and during the timeout the video booth called down to the ice. A review was instituted and it was determined the puck went clean through the net. The goal was given, the clock was rewound and the crowd was left wondering what happened.
That was the spark Portland needed as the Winterhawks scored on two nice passing moves to win the game.
This was a missed opportunity for the Tips. Everett had a 9-3 power-play advantage, but the teams ended up even in power-play goals with one apiece. The Tips didn’t look good on the power play, but credit Portland’s penalty kill, too. The Winterhawks made life difficult for the Tips with their length, forcing Everett to waste a lot of time getting set up in the offensive zone and blocking shooting lanes. Portland also scored the game-winning goal against Everett’s power play, clearing the puck just as Johansen was exiting the box to get a three-on-two, which was finished by Spencer Bennett.
Everett’s demise means there are no undefeated teams left in the WHL.
So what to make of the first meeting between two teams with high aspirations? It was hard to get a good read because of the power-play discrepancy, but I thought they looked fairly even, with Portland getting the slight edge because of that length. I also think both teams believe they can and will play better.
TURNING POINT
See above.
HIT OF THE DAY
Late in the first period Portland’s Tayler Jordan just flattened Jari Erricson as Erricson was trying to get rid of the puck.
THREE STARS
First star: Johansen. One goal and two assists, he showed why he was the fourth-overall pick in the NHL draft tonight.
Second star: Scott MacDonald, Everett. Two assists, and two excellent plays to earn those assists.
Third star: Keith Hamilton, Portland. 32 saves, he was solid, but not challenged much by Everett’s power play.
The Herald’s honorable mention: Oliver Gabriel, Portland. One goal and two assists, filling in well for the absent Nino Niederreiter.
BOX SCORE
