TALKING POINTS
This was not the most exciting encounter Comcast Arena has witnessed this season. But on the one hand you had an Everett team coming off an emotionally draining shootout loss to Tri-City, and on the other you had a Prince George team that just doesn’t have the horses, especially with star winger Brett Connolly out injured. So it’s understandable.
However, the Tips still managed to take care of business against the league’s worst team with a minimum of drama. Kellan Tochkin scored 37 seconds into the game, and the Tips held off Prince George the rest of the first period before they found their legs in the second.
Tri-City lost 5-2 at Spokane, so Everett closed back within two points of the Americans for the U.S. Division lead. Think about this: Had the Tips managed to avoid giving up that late six-on-five goal to Tri-City Friday night, they would now be in first.
Also, Shane Harper scored his 38th goal of the season. That ties him with John Lammers (05-06) for the franchise’s single-season record for goals. He has seven games with which to break it.
Everett will have one more player on the roster for its next game as prospect Tyler Giebel will be joining the team when in arrives in Kamloops for Tuesday’s contest. The 16-year-old center, who was Everett’s second-round pick in the 2008 bantam draft, will remain with the team for the rest of the season and playoffs. Giebel played for the Regina Pat Canadians of the SMAAAHL this season, posting 17 goals and 38 assists in 41 games. He also appeared in one game for the Tips during a call-up.
TURNING POINT
The game was competitive in the first period, as the Cougars worked hard and were probably unfortunate to be down 1-0. However, the Tips came out in the second period more like themselves, and Everett pulled away.
HIT OF THE DAY
Late in the first period Everett’s Radko Gudas delivered one of his specials, laying out Spencer Asuchak with an open-ice hit as Asuchak tried to enter the offensive zone.
THREE STARS
First star: Tochkin. Two goals and an assist, he’s nearly gotten himself back to point-a-game pace.
Second star: Byron Froese, Everett. One goal and one assist, also had other chances in front.
Third star: Kent Simpson, Everett. 24 saves for his first shutout of the season.
The Herald’s honorable mention: Clayton Cumiskey, Everett. One assist, was involved in several other scoring chances, and drew a couple of penalties.
BOX SCORE
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