Game 1: Everett 5, Kelowna 4 (OT)

TALKING POINTS

The Tips got the playoffs started with a bang tonight with an exciting, back-and-forth, hard-hitting encounter that required extra time to determine the outcome.

And the winning goal was a thing of beauty. On the rush Scott MacDonald was able to force the puck past the defense at the Kelowna blue line. Clayton Cumiskey swept in to claim it and create two-on-one. Cumiskey then sent a perfect saucer pass to Dan Iwanski, who tucked the puck past stranded Kelowna goalie Adam Brown to end it.

Overall it was a good effort by Everett. The Tips outshot the Rockets 51-34, and the shot total seemed to be a good representation of play. Kelowna also benefitted from some unusual goals. I doubt Everett goaltender Thomas Heemskerk would consider this his best game.

One last thing. Is it really necessary to call down from the review booth after every single goal?

TURNING POINT

Though it didn’t match the eventual outcome, the most visible turning point came right after the Tips scored their second goal, going ahead 2-0 early in the second period. Everett controlled play to that point, but the Rockets came out hitting after that and got themselves back into the game. Kelowna scored twice later in the period to tie it and make for an exciting final 25 minutes.

HIT OF THE DAY

Late in the second period Kelowna’s Mitchell Callahan unseated Alex Theriau when he slammed Theriau into the boards behind the Everett net.

THREE STARS

First star: Iwanski. One goal, an OT winner in the playoffs makes you the hero.

Second star: Zack Dailey, Everett. One goal, one assist and plenty of hustle, though he took an untimely offensive-zone stick penalty in the third that led to a Kelowna power-play goal.

Third star: Brown. 46 saves, he saw a lot of rubber tonight.

The Herald’s honorable mention: Shane Harper, Everett. Two assists and always dangerous.

BOX SCORE

Everett 5, Kelowna 4 (OT)

SCHEDULE

Game 1: Everett 5, Kelowna 4 (OT), Everett leads series 1-0

Game 2: Kelowna at Everett, Saturday, 7:05 p.m.

Game 3: Everett at Kelowna, Tuesday, 7 p.m.

Game 4: Everett at Kelowna, Wednesday, 7 p.m.

Game 5 (if necessary): Kelowna at Everett, Mar. 26, 7:35 p.m.

Game 6 (if necessary): Everett at Kelowna, Mar. 27, 7 p.m.

Game 7 (if necessary): Kelowna at Everett, Mar. 29, 7:05 p.m.