TALKING POINTS
First off, big ups to the fans today for their efforts for Pink the Rink. A total of $78,872 was raised for the Providence Regional Breast Center, and I’m not even sure if that includes the $50,000 donated by by Safeway. Plus it doesn’t include the amount that will eventually be raised by the auction of Everett goaltender Kent Simpson’s pink-themed mask as that auction doesn’t end until next Friday. So great job Silvertips Country!
Now to the game. The Tips made a nice recovery from Wednesday’s 8-2 debacle against Brandon, putting forth a good effort. But twice the Tips were unable to hold the lead, with Burke Gallimore’s goal early in the third period snapping a 2-2 tie and standing up as the game winner.
I thought two factors were decisive tonight:
1) Special teams. Everett went 0-for-3 on the power play and never really looked like scoring. Seattle went 2-for-5, with power-play markers by Marcel Noebels twice tying the score. Everett’s penalty killing has become a major concern. The Tips now rank 21st in the 22-team WHL on the kill at 73.3 percent. That has to improve for the Tips to have any success.
2) Goaltending. Seattle’s Calvin Pickard was his usual solid self. But Simpson again had his rough moments. Noebels’ two goals, both of which came from the top of the right circle, were both well-placed shots. But Simpson had time to get himself set for both shots, and on the first one he got beat at the near post. Then on the winning goal Simpson kicked a big rebound straight up the middle after Kyle Verdino shot while crossing the blue line.
But there were some positives the Tips took away from this one, the biggest being that the young players got a lot of ice time and held their own. Returners Nick Walters and Jari Erricson and newcomer Kohl Bauml have already assumed regular roles. Tonight the likes of Trent Lofthouse, Lucas Grayson, Jordyn Boyd, Ryan Chynoweth and Austin Adam showed signs that they may be able to contribute, too.
TURNING POINT
I guess you have to give it to Gallimore’s game-winning goal. Everett pressed after that, but wasn’t really able to create much in the way of clear-cut chances.
HIT OF THE DAY
Nothing specific stood out to me, though it was a reasonably physical game. I will say that Everett’s Cody Fowlie was noticeably more of a physical presence tonight.
THREE STARS
First star: Noebels. Two goals and one assist, picked out the opposite top corners with shots from the same spot on the ice.
Second star: Josh Birkholz, Everett. One goal, he ripped his shot and covered a lot of ice.
Third star: Verdino. Three assists, including the shot that led to the winning goal.
The Herald’s honorable mention: Pickard. 27 saves, the guy just doesn’t make many mistakes.
BOX SCORE
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