Everett 2, Vancouver 1

TALKING POINTS

Over the years I’ve seen a lot of games between the Tips and the Giants, and I could pretty much predict what I was going to see beforehand. Vancouver would try to pound Everett to smithereens, and the Tips would hope to score some goals on the power play. Many times I came away wondering just how Everett managed to win that one.

Well tonight, for the first time in a looooooong time, I watched the Tips match Vancouver physically and even outhit the Giants. No question in my mind that’s why Everett won this one.

I think that even surprised the Giants. I don’t recall ever seeing Vancouver give up as many odd-man rushes as they did in the second period tonight.

Clayton Bauer also opened his Tips account tonight, banging in a rebound on the power play. It was a very Moises Gutierrez-type goal, which may be just what the Tips were looking for.

The only downside for Everett tonight was the loss of center Zack Dailey to injury. Dailey skated off in the game’s opening minutes with an arm injury. He was taken to the hospital, where X-rays were negative.

TURNING POINT

Everett announced itself right from the start with the way the Tips came out hitting. Coming out with that attitude turned the game Everett’s way immeditately.

HIT OF THE DAY

Take your pick. But the way Jordan Mistelbacher has been throwing his body around the last couple games for Everett, he deserves recognition for the accumulation of his efforts.

THREE STARS

First star: Leland Irving, Everett. Made key saves on the penalty kill late, but was helped out a lot by his defense and didn’t face many tough shots.

Second star: Kramer Barnstable, Vancouver. For someone who had just one start in goal under his belt this season, he didn’t show any rust.

Third star: Kyle Beach, Everett. Scored the game winner, but also did good work filling in on the penalty kill after Dailey went out.

The Herald’s honorable mention: Jordan Mistelbacher, Everett. One of the leaders in Everett’s hit parade.

LINEUP NOTES

For Everett, right wing Dan Gendur was scratched after tweaking his shoulder injury during the third period of Friday’s 3-2 overtime victory over Kelowna. Forward Tyler Skauge was scratched because of his concussion, and forward Tyler Eskesen was a healthy scratch. The Tips dressed seven defensemen as insurance against the various bumps and bruises afflicting the defensive corps.

For Vancouver, agitator Garet Hunt was back in the lineup. He was suspended for Friday’s 2-1 overtime victory over Chilliwack for his third fight of the season off the opening faceoff (two of those were against former Tip Brennan Sonne, wonder if he’s sad to lose his sparring partner). Forwards Phil Gervais and Mitch Czibere and defensemen Stefan Schneider and Neil Manning were healthy scratches.