TALKING POINTS
Well, this is starting to feel familiar.
Once again the Tips dug themselves in a hole. Once again they battled back in the third period. However, a 4-1 deficit with eight minutes remaining was too much for Everett to overcome.
This has basically been the story in all four of Everett’s games this season. Everett has trailed in the third period in all four, but by outscoring their opponents 8-2 in the third (who would have guessed after last season’s third-period futility?) the Tips have battled back and even won twice. But it would sure be nice if they weren’t always in that position.
The Tips, of course, were coming off that odd 10-day break, and during the first period they played like it. Some of the players got better after that first period, some of them didn’t. There were a few passengers out there tonight, something coach Craig Hartsburg was none too pleased about afterwards.
And yes, Portland is the real deal. The Winterhawks’ power play was particularly lethal. Portland scored on three of its five power plays and could easily have scored on all five as the Winterhawks picked apart Everett’s penalty kill. Penalty killing has not been a strength of this Everett team so far.
One injury note for Everett. Left wing Dan Iwanski skated off gingerly in the second period after getting whacked in the knee and did not return. He’ll be evaluated tomorrow.
TURNING POINT
On the game’s first shift Everett’s Cameron Abney took a high-sticking penalty, and the Winterhawks cashed in when Ryan Johansen scored on a rebound at 1:21 to open the scoring. That set the tone for a first period Everett never fully recovered from.
HIT OF THE DAY
A lot of good hits by both teams tonight — plenty that would have gotten the nod on a typical night. The most dramatic came early in the second period when, right in the center circle, Everett’s Radko Gudas dipped down, caught Spencer Bennett right in the midsection, then lifted up to send Bennett flying into the air.
THREE STARS
First star: Nino Niederreiter, Portland. Two assists, he showed why he was the second-overall pick in the import draft with a performance that included both deft skills and big hits.
Second star: Johansen. Two goals, including what proved to be the game winner.
Third star: Radko Gudas, Everett. One assist and a host of big hits.
The Herald’s honorable mention: Troy Rutkowski, Portland. Two assists for the defenseman who was an offensive threat all night.
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