Everett 4, Seattle 3
Published 10:53 pm Sunday, September 5, 2010
TALKING POINTS
Well, in a sense the Tips were incredibly consistent for a first weekend of the preseason. Everett managed to trail all three of its games by two goals in the third period, and the Tips came back and either tied it or won it in all three. Pretty sure that’s not the type of consistency Everett coach Craig Hartsburg is looking for, but the third-period resiliency is at least something to build upon.
Tonight Seattle came out hitting, moreso than either of Everett’s previous opponents did, and I think that threw the Tips off early on. The Tips turned the game in a flash early in the third period, scoring three goals in three minutes to turn a 3-1 deficit into a 4-3 lead.
We also got to see Everett function without defenseman Ryan Murray as he was given the night off. It was clear the Tips missed his steadying presence at the back, but it was also encouraging that Everett’s defense didn’t collapse without him present.
One of the reasons the defense held up was because of Nicholas Walters. The 16-year-old played major minutes in all situations tonight, including being sent out for the final 1:19 to face the T-birds when they had the extra attacker. He wasn’t perfect, but he was about as good as one could hope from a 16-year-old D-man not named Murray. He even managed to get an assist in all three games this weekend, showing a good ability to get his one-timer off during power plays. Both he and 16-year-old forward Jari Erricson, who potted his first goal for the team, came in for praise from Hartsburg following the game.
Staying with the defense, I know there’s a number of fans rooting for prodigal son Jeff Regier to make the team. I’m not sure he helped his cause tonight. Seattle had four power plays, and three of those came as a result of infractions by Regier.
Scott MacDonald scored another goal for Everett. He finished as the tournament’s leading goal scorer with five.
In the earlier games Spokane scored twice in the final 10 minutes to tie it, then won in a shootout as the Chiefs beat Portland 3-2. Sault Ste. Marie got two goals from Brett Thompson and a goal and three assists from Brett Findlay to top Tri-City 6-2.
Final tournament records: Portland 2-0-0-1, Tri-City 2-1-0-0, Everett 2-1-0-0, Spokane 2-1-0-0, Sault Ste. Marie 1-1-1-0, Seattle 0-2-1-0.
One final note. It was great to see the Greyhounds here this weekend. It freshened up the preseason tournament, and it really seemed like the fans enjoyed having them here. The Greyhounds were the crowd favorites whenever they didn’t play Everett, and they gave a nice salute to the crowd following their game today while receiving a standing ovation. They looked good in all three of their games. I’d enjoy it if the Tips could get a team from the OHL or QMJHL out here every year.
TURNING POINT
Those three goals in three minutes by Everett early in the third period pretty much did the trick.
HIT OF THE DAY
Seattle had a number of crunching hits in the first period, with Burke Gallimore’s leveling of Jordyn Boyd just one of several that stood out.
THREE STARS
First star: Kellan Tochkin, Everett. One goal and one assist, he sparked the comeback by scoring the tying goal and setting up the game-winner.
Second star: Brenden Dillon, Seattle. Two assists and showed much more offensive flair from his defensive position than in the past.
Third star: Landon Ferraro, Everett. One assist, this guy’s got jets in his skates.
The Herald’s honorable mention: Luke Lockhart, Seattle. One goal and gave indications he may be able to contribute offensively this season.
BOX SCORE
