Everett 2, Kamloops 1, new franchise record
Published 11:02 pm Saturday, January 30, 2010
TALKING POINTS
Fourteen straight victories. A new franchise record. Who would have believed it?
When the streak began Everett was coming off a 3-8-1-1 December that saw the Tips sink to sixth place in the Western Conference. But the Tips finished off a perfect 14-0 January and erased a record set by the 2006-07 team that won 54 games and earned the Scotty Munro Trophy for the league’s best record. I have to be honest, I didn’t see this coming.
Throughout the streak Everett’s formula has been the same: hard work on the forecheck and cycle, offense from the Roaring 20s line, good goaltending and grind out a close victory. That was the story again tonight as Kamloops gave the Tips a stern test. But Everett has the magic going as the Tips won their 10th one-goal game during the streak. It would have been a greater margin if not for an excellent game by Blazers goaltender Jon Groenheyde, but Tips goaltender Thomas Heemskerk also had to make some big saves late to preserve the victory.
Speaking of the roaring 20s, they were at it again as Shane Harper and Chris Langkow scored the goals. For Harper it was the fourth straight time he scored the game’s opening goal, as well as his sixth straight game finding the net. That matches the franchise record set by Byron Froese earlier during the streak. Imagine that, two six-game goal streaks during one winning streak — and they don’t intersect.
Also, Zack Dailey had two more assists tonight, giving him 19 points during the month of January. How many points did Dailey have in November and December? That’s right: zero. Two full months pointless, then a stretch like this. Unbelievable.
On to Heemskerk. He hadn’t played in nearly two full weeks as Kent Simpson started the previous four games. But Heemskerk showed no rust as he was sharp tonight. Both he and Simpson have seven wins during the streak.
By the way, in case anyone was wondering the longest winning streak in WHL history is 24 by Victoria in 1981, so the Tips still have a long way to go to reach that one.
TURNING POINT
The game’s biggest moment came with three minutes remaining in regulation. Kamloops had generated pressure without creating many scoring chances throughout the third period, but Heemskerk came up big during an extended scramble in front of the Everett goal to preserve the Tips’ 2-1 lead.
HIT OF THE DAY
Early in the first period Kamloops’ Linden Saip lined up Campbell Elynuik as Elynuik carried the puck into the offensive zone. However, Elynuik had none of it, bowling over Saip and sending Saip straight onto his back.
THREE STARS
First star: Harper. Scored his 11th goal during the streak, but didn’t actually have his best game as he was fighting the puck.
Second star: Dailey. Two assists and did the dirty work for the 20s line.
Third star: Groenheyde. 33 saves, including multiple breakways.
The Herald’s honorable mention: Brendan Ranford, Kamloops. One goal and was Kamloops’ most dangerous player.
BOX SCORE
