TALKING POINTS
This was an enormously big win for Everett. Not just in terms of the standings, but also in terms of momentum. The Tips limped into Friday, having lost six of their past nine and watched their lead atop the U.S. Division shrink to two points over Portland. And what awaited them Friday? Just the hottest team in the WHL, a Calgary squad that had won 15 of its past 16 — outscoring its opponents 79-29 in the process — and rolled through the rest of the U.S. Division.
But the Tips got off to a dream start, scoring twice in the first four minutes, and Everett decisively won the goaltending battle as Carter Hart, playing his first game since returning from illness, was incredibly sharp. It was a bit of an odd story on the scoreboard as the game wasn’t nearly as one-sided as the final score or the final shot total — Calgary outshot Everett 43-29. One could argue the Hitmen were fatigued by playing their fifth road game in eight nights, or looking ahead to Saturday’s game at league-leading Kelowna. But I didn’t look to me that Calgary was lacking energy or focus.
This could be just the spark the Tips need for the final stretch. If Everett can build off this victory, the Tips might have a chance of staving off Portland for the division title. The Winterhawks didn’t play Friday, meaning Everett now has a four point lead. Portland has 11 games remaining while Everett has 10. I still give the edge to Portland because the Winterhawks are flying and have a favorable schedule with regards to opponents (maybe not in terms of rest, considering Portland ends the season with a pair of four-in-fives). But Everett isn’t out of this yet.
The one thing that kept it from being a perfect night for Everett was a major penalty to defensive lynchpin Ben Betker for checking to the head. Betker faces a probable suspension, and with fellow defenseman Kevin Davis out injured, the Tips could be in a serious defensive bind for Saturday’s game against Prince George, and maybe beyond.
One final thought. If I’m an Eastern Conference team I want to see Calgary anywhere near my side of the bracket. This team pretty much has it all: elite offensive talent, good size, quality grinders, basically a great balance of of everything you look for from a playoff team. If they can get any kind of goaltending, the Hitmen are going to be extremely tough to beat in a seven-game series.
TURNING POINT
In the second period Calgary put 21 shots on goal, and the Hitmen pulled within 3-2 when Adam Tambellini scored a short-handed goal with 4:10 remaining in the period. But Everett still had more than a minute remaining on its power play, and the Tips converted when Kohl Bauml tipped Betker’s shot though Calgary goaltender Mack Shields. That goal prevented the Hitmen from being able to build any momentum off their short-hander.
THREE STARS
First star: Hart. 41 saves. Although most of the saves came on shots from the perimeter, this was still a goaltending coach’s dream performance. Hart wasn’t scrambling around making spectacular saves, he was just in position every time and he gave up few rebounds. How he did this I have no clue, because Calgary had a player in his grill the entire night. But he somehow managed to glove just about everything through traffic. Fantastic performance.
@NickHPatterson tell the copy editors @EverettHerald I got their headline for tomorrow… HART OWNS HITMEN Thank you I’ll show myself out
— Tips After The Game (@TipsATG) February 28, 2015
Second star: Carson Stadnyk, Everett. Two goals and one assist, but really it was a team effort offensively.
Third star: Tambellini. Two goals, also created a boatload of other scoring chances for himself. Easily the game’s best skater.
The Herald’s honorable mention: Betker. Two assists, I’m a little reluctant to give this to him because of the major penalty, which could have really put Everett in a bind. But he was about as physical as I’ve seen him this season.
BOX SCORE
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