TALKING POINTS
A spirited effort by Everett tonight, though there weren’t many people here to see it. The Tips, who were out-muscled by Portland in the first two games, came out in the first period and matched the Winterhawks physically. Everett also found some offense, including a pair of power-play goals, as the Tips doubled their goal total from the first two games combined.
But this one had a similar story to the games between these two teams during the regular season. The game was close, but eventually Portland’s lethal offense found a way to put goals on the board in hurry. This time it was goals 13 seconds apart late in the second period that turned a 3-2 deficit into a 4-3 lead.
Everett had a chance to tie it at the end, with Rasmus Rissanen of all people having a clean look for his hat trick with 18.5 seconds remaining. But Portland goaltender Mac Carruth made the save to prevent the game from going to overtime.
This game was incredibly physical in the first period, with a lot of borderline hits that went uncalled and a couple minor penalties that easily could have been majors. But it settled down after that.
Everett’s season is now on the brink as the Tips are down 3-0 in the series and are one loss from elimination.
On an unrelated note, as I am currently typing this the Comcast Arena staff has just completed putting the floor down on top of the ice. Game 4 is Thursday night, right?
TURNING POINT
The easy answer is to say the two goals in 13 seconds Portland scored late in the second period to turn the score around. But in truth the tide turned shortly before that, when Portland forced about eight straight faceoffs in the Everett end in the span of a minute, signaling the Winterhawks’ intent.
HIT OF THE DAY
There were a ton of big hits during the first period, but I’m reluctant to highlight the biggest of those because they looked like penalties to me.
THREE STARS
First star: Sven Bartschi, Portland. One goal and two assists, he’s been fantastic in games at Comcast Arena this season.
Second star: Ryan Murray, Everett. One goal and two assists, was aggressive offensively.
Third star: Nino Niederreiter, Portland. One goal and one assist, though I thought he wasn’t quite to the level he played in the games in Portland.
The Herald’s honorable mention: So many to choose from. For Everett, Landon Ferraro had an excellent game with three assists, Rissanen deserves mention for his goals and defensive work, and goaltender Luke Siemens was sensational in making 45 saves. Meanwhile, Portland’s Ryan Johansen wasn’t as effective as he was in the games in Portland, but his goal, which ended up being the game winner, was NHL caliber.
BOX SCORE
SERIES SCHEDULE
Game 1: Portland 4, Everett 0
Game 2: Portland 7, Everett 2
Game 3: Portland 5, Everett 4 (Portland leads series 3-0
Game 4: Portland at Everett, Thursday
Game 5 (if necessary): Everett at Portland, Saturday
Game 6 (if necessary): Portland at Everett, Monday
Game 7 (if necessary): Everett at Portland, Apr. 6
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