Everett 2, Lethbridge 1

TALKING POINTS

Everett needed to rebound with a strong effort tonight after being badly outplayed by Kamloops on Friday, and for the most part the Tips were much better. Everett was solid over the first two periods, and the Tips perhaps could have led more than 2-0 going into the third. The Hurricanes then picked up the pace in the third, and Everett took a few penalties they probably wish they hadn’t. But Lethbridge only scored the one goal as the Tips held on.

A lot of love was thrown Landon Ferraro’s way at the end of the game for the way he led Everett’s effort. The choice of Ferraro as captain was perhaps met with surprise by observers around the league, given he’d never played a regular season game for the Tips and departed Red Deer on poor terms. But he led the way as the Tips got their forecheck going again. And when the game got ugly toward the end (the Hurricanes did not take kindly to losing) and Ferraro was jumped by Lethbridge’s Austin Fyten, he acquitted himself well in the ensuing fight and was given a big ovation by the fans.

Everett is now halfway through its season-opening eight-game homestand, and the Tips have the maximum eight points. Everett needed to take advantage of these early home games, and so far the Tips have. Everett is now the only undefeated team in the league.

Lastly, it was a rough night for the officials as there were two bizarre incidents. First, early in the first period, we had the rare sight of a penalized player on the ice during his penalty. Lethbirdge’s Max Ross took a boarding penalty that eventually led to some fisticuffs, with four players penalized and the Hurricanes given a power play. But after the dust settled the officials must have forgotten to put Ross in the box, and Ross ended up skating during the final seconds of the Lethbridge power play. Then midway through the second a delayed penalty was called, with the Hurricanes skating in and nearly scoring. Just one problem, the penalty was on Lethbridge.

Oops.

TURNING POINT

Everett had a bit of a slow start, but the Tips scored first when Kellan Tochkin made a nice touch pass that sent Ferraro streaking free into the Lethbridge zone. Ferraro beat Hurricanes goaltender Dylan Tait with a high shot to the near post. The goal opened the scoring and gave the Tips an energy that lasted through the first two periods.

HIT OF THE DAY

Midway through the third period Lethbridge’s Landon Oslanski put a big hit on Campbell Elynuik in the corner that not only knocked over Elynuik, it caused Elynuik to knock over referee Matt Kirk.

THREE STARS

First star: Ferraro. One goal, a captain’s performance.

Second star: Kent Simpson, Everett. 26 saves, another solid effort from the Tips netminder.

Third star: Ross. Great shot in scoring Lethbridge’s lone goal.

The Herald’s honorable mention: Tait. 23 saves, also played a solid game.

BOX SCORE

Everett 2, Lethbridge 1