Everett 7, Tri-City 6 (SO)

Published 11:11 pm Tuesday, October 28, 2008

TALKING POINTS

You know what? I must need my eyes checked, because I just can’t believe what I’m seeing. After five years of watching the Tips churn out one of the league’s top defensive teams season after season, this is just too much for me.

Check out this stat. In Everett’s last five home game there have been 50 — that’s right, FIFTY! — goals scored. And you know what else? They’re all Everett victories.

Tonight was just more of the same, with kamikaze offense and defense going both ways throughout the first two periods before it settled down a little in the third.

And mind you, the Tips did this tonight without star winger Kyle Beach, who was scratched because of back spasms. Six different goal scorers for Everett again tonight. What’s going on? Wasn’t this a team that lost all it’s offense from a season ago?

I wasn’t sure I would ever witness anything quite like Everett’s 8-6 victory over Kelowna. I definitely wasn’t expecting it 11 days later.

As terrible a game as this was from a defensive standpoint, I’ve got to give some credit to Everett goaltender Kent Simpson. He had his rough moments, too, but after being thrust into this game in the second period he managed to keep from collapsing, and the second point was all his as he made two big stops on Eric Mestery in overtime and stopped all four attempts he faced in the shootout.

There’s plenty more worth talking about from this one, but I’m just too drained to type any more.

TURNING POINT

If you happened to glance away for a moment you missed a turning point in this one. I guess I’d have to say the Petr Stoklasa hooking penalty that came with 2:34 left was the most important one, as Daniel Bartek scored 14 seconds later to tie it at 6-6 and force overtime.

HIT OF THE DAY

Everett’s Jordan Mistelbacher took Lane Werbowski off his skates and high into the boards late in the second period.

THREE STARS

First star: Kellan Tochkin, Everett. A goal, assist and shootout winner. His passing is something special.

Second star: Adam Hughesman, Tri-City. A goal and two assists, he was the best player on the ice tonight.

Third star: Graham Potuer, Everett. A goal and an assist, though I’m not sure I would have given a star to a defenseman in a 6-6 game.

The Herald’s honorable mention: Johnny Lazo, Tri-City. A goal and two assists, was everywhere on the ice.

LINEUP NOTES

With Beach out, center Zack Dailey took his spot on Everett’s top line, with Daniel Bartek shifting into Beach’s spot on the left. Also out was defenseman Shayne Brown because of a hip flexor injury. Defenseman Mike Alexander returned to the lineup after missing Saturday’s 5-2 loss at Seattle because of a bruised ankle, meaning defenseman Paul Sohor had to make way. Forwards Tyler Parker and Cameron Abney were also healthy scratches.

Tri-City is without forward Jason Gardiner for an extended period because of a broken leg. Forward Brock Zimak is also out because of a concussion. Goaltender Drew Owsley was a healthy scratch. The Americans also lost defenseman Brett Plouffe to an undisclosed injury during the game. Don’t be surprised if Tri-City announces the acquisition of a defenseman tomorrow morning as the Americans only have six d-men on their roster.