Kelowna 6, Everett 2
Published 10:55 pm Wednesday, December 2, 2009
TALKING POINTS
No other way of putting it than that the Tips got waxed tonight.
Kelowna came into the game missing several key players and the Rockets were winless in eight attempts against U.S. Division foes. Meanwhile, the Tips were coming off perhaps their best victory of the season, knocking off Tri-City on the road 6-1 Saturday.
But Kelowna showed up to work, Everett didn’t, and this is the result.
It was best illustrated in front of the Everett net. Five of Kelowna’s six goals came off rebounds as the Tips could not clear the puck from the front of the net to save their lives. A game like this makes one wonder whether a player like defenseman Chris de la Lande, who ended up scratched because of an injury I’m not privy to, is underappreciated.
But full marks to Kelowna tonight. I thought the Rockets’ support players were very good tonight. Players who I’d never noticed in the past — guys like forwards Spencer Main and Max Adolph — played well in elevated roles.
And if you want to play a guessing game, Everett had three players who still finished a plus-1 tonight. Take a guess who they were, then check the scoresheet.
TURNING POINT
After Everett’s Shane Harper tied it at 1-1 early in the first period, Mitchell Callahan scored on a rebound after a nice drive to the net by Main a mere 41 seconds later, making sure the ball remained rolling Kelowna’s way.
HIT OF THE DAY
Early in the second period Everett’s Campbell Elynuik put a big-time decleater on Kyle Verdino into the boards. Too bad Elynuik put an equally big illegal hit on Collin Bowman moments later to put the Tips on the penalty kill.
THREE STARS
First star: Callahan. Two goals and two assists, he was a nuisance in front of net.
Second star: Brandon McMillan, Kelowna. Didn’t actually record a point, but he skated well, I guess.
Third star: Harper. One goal, the token homer pick. Everett didn’t really warrant a star tonight.
The Herald’s honorable mention: Cody Chikie, Kelowna. He skated well, too, plus he had a pair of assists.
BOX SCORE
