TALKING POINTS
Everett held serve at home with a convincing victory tonight, taking a 2-0 series lead. The Tips withstood an early Kelowna flurry, scored some nice goals off the rush and played excellent defense. The Rockets dominated the game’s first 10 minutes, keeping the Tips pinned in their own zone, but weren’t able to generate any scoring chances because of good work by the defensemen.
That defensive work was all the more impressive because for more than two periods it was accomplished without Radko Gudas. Gudas left the game late in the first period with an upper-body injury and did not return. However, he didn’t seem to be missed as the Tips kept the Rockets to the perimeter. Everett coach Craig Hartsburg said after the game that Gudas is day-to-day.
Switching goalies after one game also worked out for Everett as Kent Simpson was solid. Hartsburg said he was satisfied with how both goalies played this weekend and has not decided who will start Tuesday’s Game 3 in Kelowna.
Kelowna continued to get rough with the Tips as the Rockets finished all their checks and played on the edge. Everett did a good job of not retaliating and ended up with six power plays to Kelowna’s two. The Tips cashed in twice with the advantage.
TURNING POINT
The real turning point came somewhere around the middle of the first period. Kelowna came out forechecking hard and kept the puck in Everett’s end. After about 10 minutes the Tips responded, and Everett scored the game’s first goal soon after.
HIT OF THE DAY
A lot of choices, but I guess I’ll go with when Kelowna’s Evan Bloodoff bowled over Chris Langkow after Langkow made a dump on the penalty kill.
THREE STARS
First star: Ryan Murray, Everett. One goal and two assists, he ran the show on defense with Gudas out.
Second star: Shane Harper, Everett. Two goals and one assist, finished well on two great set-ups.
Third star: Langkow. One goal and two assists, the Harper-Langkow-Dailey line was excellent.
The Herald’s honorable mention: Rasmus Rissanen/Chris de la Lande/Alex Theriau/Curtis Kulchar, Everett. The rest of Everett’s defense did its part, too.
BOX SCORE
SCHEDULE
Game 1: Everett 5, Kelowna 4 (OT)
Game 2: Everett 5, Kelowna 2, Everett leads series 2-0
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, Friday, 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.
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