TALKING POINTS
Honestly, I just don’t what to say tonight. Anything I write would be a pale imitation of the emotions that swelled up. A sellout crowd at Comcast Arena was on hand to witness Everett’s first game since the tragic death of former Silvertip Jordan Mistelbacher, and words can’t describe what it was like here in the building, especially with the game as topsy-turvy as it was. For those of us who were already on edge, it was almost unbearable.
And it was cathartic. Everett scored four goals in six minutes early in the third period to break a 2-2 tie on what can only be described as a tidal wave of emotion — after that fourth goal was scored even I was beginning to get choked up. Then the Tips had to muster up every last ounce of energy and emotion they had to hold off Seattle’s comeback.
I have no idea how the Tips are going to be able to get back up for games tomorrow in Kent and Sunday at home against Kamloops. But for one night they did Missle proud.
Oh, and Everett’s players were wearing “18” decals on their helmets in honor of Mistelbacher, who wore No. 18 for the Tips. They’ll continue wearing them the rest of the season.
TURNING POINT
Seattle tied it at 2-2 1:11 into the third period. But a mere seven seconds later Markus McCrea converted a nice feed from Dan Iwanski to restore Everett’s lead, beginning the Tips’ four-goal outburst.
HIT OF THE DAY
Midway through the second period Seattle was on a five-on-three power play when Everett’s Graham Potuer dumped Thomas Hickey straight onto his back as Hickey attempted to skate the puck into the offensive zone.
THREE STARS
First star: Kellan Tochkin, Everett. A goal and two assists, his goal — Everett’s seventh — probably saved the game for the Tips.
Second star: Iwanski. Two assists, he seems to be settling in well as a Tip.
Third star: Hickey. Almost single-handedly brought Seattle back with two late goals, and also managed to get away with a punch during a late fracas.
The Herald’s honorable mention: Mistelbacher. Everett scored its seven goals on just 22 shots. Most of those were good goals, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Mistelbacher gave a little helping hand from above.
LINEUP NOTES
Everett was just able to field a full lineup of 20 players. Left wing Daniel Bartek (foot) and defensemen Mike Alexander (concussion) and Chris de la Lande (groin) were all out injured, while winger Ryan White was unavailable having just returned from attending to a personal matter. Dale Hunt maintained his spot replacing Bartek on Everett’s top line alongside Zack Dailey and Shane Harper. With both Alexander and de la Lande out, Drew McDermott and Paul Sohor served as the No. 2 defensive pairing.
Seattle had its big guns, Hickey and center Jim O’Brien, back in the lineup. Both missed the previous meeting on Jan. 3 while playing at the World Junior Hockey Championships, Hickey for Canada and O’Brien for the U.S. Sena Acolatse, a defenseman the past two-plus seasons, is now being used as a forward. Right wing David Richard (hand) is out injured. Forward Brenden Silvester and defenseman Erik Fleming were healthy scratches.
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