TALKING POINTS
I hadn’t seen Everett play in three weeks, and a lot has happened between then and now. The Tips had that difficult road trip where they were they were regularly outshot by big numbers, then leading goal scorer Tyler Maxwell asked for a trade and was sent home. With injuries/suspensions still an issue, I knew I was going to see a different Everett team.
For two periods I saw a team playing without much confidence. Everett was very tentative. The Tips’ first thought seemed to be backward rather than forward, defense-minded rather than attack-minded, playing not to lose — and keep the score reasonable — rather than playing to win. Defensemen were backing up when the puck was in the offensive zone, and players were clearing the defensive zone in something of a panic and thus turning the puck straight over. Even when Everett had offensive chances there was a lack of confidence, with shots skied high and wide. Everett was outshot in the two periods (23-13), but it wouldn’t have been nearly as bad if the Tips had just hit the net.
The lack of confidence was not surprising, and even understandable given the circumstances. But I’m not sure how much the confidence issue was responsible for the small mistakes that led to Prince George’s goals in the first period. Jari Erricson’s inability to get the puck deep while the Tips were undergoing a line change eventually led to Prince George’s first goal, and Nick Walters getting goaded into a penalty following chirping at a faceoff led to the second as the Cougars went ahead 2-0.
Everett was better in the third period, but it didn’t prevent the Tips from dropping their sixth straight. Tips head coach Mark Ferner took his team to task following the game (check the story in Saturday’s paper for his quotes). I didn’t think it was quite as bad as that myself. I thought Everett showed some fire. But if Ferner says the team isn’t playing to the system, I can’t argue with him.
One correction from the lineup notes. Everett winger Carson Samoridny was not out ill. Samoridny briefly returned home to St. Albert, Alberta, but is expected to be back for Saturday’s rematch.
TURNING POINT
Everett was awarded a full two minutes of five-on-three midway through the first period with the game still scoreless. But the Tips couldn’t make anything happen, and Prince George’s Spencer Asuchak scored shortly after the penalties expired to send the Cougars on their way.
HIT OF THE DAY
There were a lot of great hits dished out, and pretty much all of them were delivered by the Tips. Any of Jesse Mychan, Evan Morden, Dominik Bittner and Ryan Harrison were worthy of the honor tonight.
THREE STARS
First star: Martin Marincin, Prince George. One goal and one assist, provided offense from the blue line.
Second star: Drew Owsley, Prince George. Only had to make 18 saves, but there were some good ones in there.
Third star: Austin Adam, Everett. Scored his first career goal, and held up very well to a heavy workload with Ryan Murray and Lucas Grayson scratched and Walters booted after the second period.
The Herald’s honorable mention: Troy Bourke, Prince George. One assist, was the game’s most-dangerous forward.
BOX SCORE
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