Seattle 3, Everett 1
Published 10:52 pm Friday, January 14, 2011
TALKING POINTS
Seattle drew first blood in the crunch home-and-home set with the Tips. Everett and Seattle are two of the teams battling to grab those final playoff berths in the Western Conference, so these head-to-head games are crucial. With the victory the T-birds pulled four points ahead of the Tips. It’ll be important for Everett to rebound in Saturday’s rematch at Comcast Arena in order to keep pace.
This was Everett’s first game since the trade deadline, and it took a while for the Tips to settle in. Seattle used its size, along with momentum built off early power plays, to take control and grab a 3-0 lead through two periods.
The Tips rallied in the third, putting a lot of pressure on the Seattle goal. However, quoting Everett coach Craig Hartsburg, it was “too little too late by that point.” If Everett can play the way it played in the third period all the time, the Tips will be fine. But that’s been the story of Everett’s season. The Tips have been unable to sustain their top level of play.
I thought newboy Ryan Harrison looked like a nice addition to Everett’s lineup. He doesn’t have Kellan Tochkin’s pure skill, but he has speed and was willing to mix it up,
TURNING POINT
The teams played evenly early on, but Seattle got the game’s first power play and although the T-birds didn’t score, it seemed to elevate Seattle’s game. The T-birds controlled the rest of the period and took a 2-0 lead thanks to a pair of late goals.
HIT OF THE DAY
Harrison announced himself on the game’s first shift, blowing up Colin Jacobs with a decleater into the boards.
THREE STARS
First star: Travis Toomey, Seattle. Two assists, his big body was a huge factor, and he won all his faceoffs.
Second star: Brenden Dillon, Seattle. One assist, was dangerous off the rush.
Third star: Calvin Pickard, Seattle. 35 saves, did his best work in the third after Everett picked up its play.
The Herald’s honorable mention: Ryan Button, Seattle. He will be a welcome addition on the blue line.
BOX SCORE
