TALKING POINTS
I’ve been covering the Silvertips since they began playing in 2003, so I’ve seen this team play a few games. Tonight, for two periods, that was one of the best all-around performance I’ve ever seen from Everett. For two periods the Tips basically didn’t make a mistake, and the 30-8 shot differential was every bit indicative of how the play was going.
And yet, Everett led just 1-0 after two periods as the puck just didn’t want to find the net. When Tri-City scored a power-play goal 1:07 into the third period to tie it, one had to wonder whether the Tips had just squandered what was probably their best hockey of the season.
Enter Nikita Scherbak. The whole reason why the Tips acquired Scherbak from Saskatoon was for moments like this when the team desperately needs a cutting edge, and Scherbak provided that by putting home a blocked shot on the power play later in the period to restore Everett’s lead, then scoring into the empty net to clinch it. He now has seven goals in eight games since joining the Tips.
But while Scherbak receives the glory, this was truly a total team effort by the Tips. Everett’s defense was like night and day from Wednesday’s 5-4 loss to Spokane, with all six d-men playing well. Players who didn’t hit the scoresheet, like Remi Laurencelle and Graham Millar, turned in excellent efforts.
Granted, I doubt Tri-City coach Mike Williamson is going to be pleased with either the performance or effort by the Americans tonight. But if Everett can continue to play like this the Tips will win a lot of games.
TURNING POINT
This is a weird one, because Everett dominated play during the first two periods but couldn’t pull away, then won it in the third after play evened out. You tell me.
THREE STARS
First star: Kevin Davis, Everett. Two assists, I’m not sure what else to say about him, my admiration for his all-around game just continues to grow. He now has nine points in 11 games, equaling the total he had in 65 last season.
Second star: Scherbak. Two goals, but just as importantly this may be the first time he doesn’t get a postgame talking to from the coaches about his play without the puck.
Third star: Eric Comrie, Tri-City. 35 saves, he kept the Americans in it.
The Herald’s honorable mention: Cole MacDonald, Everett. One assist, this may have been the best game I’ve ever seen him play. He made the plays that essentially set up both of Scherbak’s goals, and he was as strong in his own zone as I’ve ever seen him.
BOX SCORE
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