Don’t underestimate the Silvertips’ playoff foe

EVERETT — On paper it looks like a mismatch.

The third-seeded Everett Silvertips take on the sixth-seeded Kelowna Rockets in the first round of the Western Hockey League playoffs beginning Friday at Comcast Arena, and all the numbers point to a comfortable Everett victory. The Tips finished 21 points higher in the standings and won the season series 4-1. Everett even has history on its side as the Tips won both of the previous two playoff series between the teams.

But these aren’t normal circumstances and Kelowna is not a typical No. 6 seed. As a result, the Rockets likely will present Everett a tougher challenge than one might expect from first glance.

“I think they’re a good team,” said Everett winger Tyler Maxwell, who scored a team-leading five goals during the season series. “We always have respect for all our opponents. All year the Western Conference has been a strong conference and all eight playoff teams are good teams, so we can’t take anyone lightly.”

Kelowna compiled a modest record during the regular season, finishing 35-31-2-4 and in second place in the B.C. Division. That’s well off the 46-21-3-2 record compiled by Everett.

But Kelowna was beset by injuries throughout the season. Key players missed long stretches because of physical ailments and the Rockets’ record suffered as a result. Kelowna got healthier down the stretch, and that was reflected in the results as the Rockets won six of their last eight games.

“We’ve been playing much better hockey for a little while with our veteran guys getting back in the lineup,” Kelowna coach Ryan Huska said. “It’s important to have the older guys in the room, not only for their play on the ice but for their leadership. Having them back is why we’ve been better since the trade deadline.”

In addition, Kelowna is the defending league champion, and the Rockets feature seven players who appeared in all 22 of the team’s playoff games last season. In contrast, Everett has only three players who have 22 games worth of playoff experience over their entire WHL careers, so the experience factor favors Kelowna.

So the Rockets won’t be pushovers, and the Tips are well aware of that fact.

“Them as a sixth-place team is a little bit deceiving,” Everett coach Craig Hartsburg said. “I’m pretty sure if they’d been healthy all year they would have battled right down to the end with Vancouver for first place in their division. They’re all back now, so we’re going to see them at their best. They’re going to be a real hard, tough, physical team that has some top-end players.”

Chief among those top-end players are forward Brandon McMillan and defenseman Tyson Barrie. McMillan, who had 25 goals and 42 assists in 55 games, was a member of Canada’s silver medal-winning team at the World Junior Hockey Championships. Barrie, who tallied 19 goals and 53 assists in 63 games, finished tied for the league lead in scoring among defensemen.

Kelowna also demonstrated a willingness to get physical during the season series, and the Tips are expecting more of the same.

“They compete extremely hard,” Hartsburg said. “I think they’re going to challenge our kids physically. That’s going to be a test for us, if we can play in a tough, physical environment. The games we beat them this year they’ve still been very physical against us.”

But while Everett is wary of Kelowna, the Rockets are also wary of a Tips team that went 27-5-1-1 since the turn of the year.

“I think we’ve seen in the second half of the year that they’ve been the best team in the conference,” Huska said. “We definitely have our hands full if we want to win a game or two.

“I think the way their team is, they’re built for the playoffs,” Huska added. “They have four lines that work hard and pay attention to detail, and their defense is the same. They’re not individuals, they play together as a team.”

Everett had six players who averaged at least a point per game during the season series, led by winger Shane Harper (four goals, seven assists) and Maxwell (five goals, three assists). The Rockets hope their physical play is capable of slowing the Tips down.

“We’re going to have to skate, make sure we’re moving our feet,” Huska said. “The other thing is we need to play a physical, disciplined style of hockey. We need to finish our checks, but make sure we don’t end up in the box.”

Kelowna hasn’t returned to complete health. Forwards Kyle St. Denis (concussion) and Cody Chikie (shoulder) are unlikely to play in the series. Everett is expected to have a full roster available.

Nick Patterson’s Silvertips blog: http://www.heraldnet.com/silvertipsblog

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