TALKING POINTS
The Tips should have won this one. Everett came into the game playing well, Chilliwack came into the game struggling. Everett was essentially at full strength, Chilliwack was missing it’s best player Oscar Moller. And Everett outplayed Chilliwack for most of the game. However, five Chilliwack power plays in 11 minutes during the first period resulted in two Bruins goals, and the Tips never were able to dig themselves out.
Now normally I don’t like commenting on the officiating. Everyone is going to see it their own way, no one is ever happy with the way the game is called, and I try my best to remain objective. But many of those calls against Everett in the first period were pretty soft. The officials did manage to even out the power plays as the game went along, but a 2-0 hole is tough to overcome.
Everett’s new defenseman Tyler Kieffer made his WHL debut tonight. He had a rough first couple shifts, once turning the puck over for a Chilliwack break. However, he looked pretty good after that. Since Jonathan Harty got a game misconduct in the first period and Mike Alexander had to spend 17 minutes in the box, Kieffer was forced to play a lot of minutes and I thought he did well.
On a side note, Everett prospects Brett Chartier and Paul Sohor earned bronze medals today playing for Team West at the U-17 World Hockey Challenge. They beat Kellan Tochkin’s Team Pacific 9-6 in the bronze-medal game.
TURNING POINT
Chilliwack led 1-0 and was on the power play midway through the first period when Graham Potuer was called for a questionable cross checking penalty, giving the Bruins a brief five-on-three. Mark Santorelli scored on a slap shot from the point during the five-on-three to give Chilliwack a working two-goal lead.
HIT OF THE DAY
Chilliwack’s Dylan Chapman caught Kyle Beach flush as Beach bore in on goal under pressure from another defender. Beach was flattened on what was an excellent hit.
THREE STARS
First star: Dan Gendur, Everett. A goal and an assist, he’s really picked up his play of late.
Second star: Santorelli, Chilliwack. Scored his goal and seemed to be on the ice the entire game. Even when he went down after taking a shot in the leg, he was back on the ice a minute later.
Third star: Clayton Bauer, Everett. Banged in another rebound goal and dished out some good hits.
The Herald’s honorable mention: Cody Smuk, Chilliwack. He didn’t last long as he and Harty were sent off early for their multiple-fight situation. But in the brief time he appeared his hard work made him the most effective player on the ice.
LINEUP NOTES
For Everett, center Zack Dailey missed his third straight game because of a groin injury. Kieffer was in the lineup for the first time in his WHL career, and left wing Tyler Eskesen made his first appearance in a while. Forward Ty Skauge and defensemen Jeff Regier and Chris de la Lande were healthy scratches.
For Chilliwack, Moller was unavailable as he’ll be playing for gold with Sweden at the World Junior Hockey Championships, and left wing Ryan Howse was with Team Pacific at the U-17 World Hockey Challenge. Right wing Partik Bhungal was scratched with a leg injury. Forward Kevin Sundher and defenseman David Hoda were healthy scratches.
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