TALKING POINTS
There was no dramatic third-period comeback for the Tips against Spokane this time. The last time the Chiefs visited Everett the Tips had a stunning comeback, scoring three goals in the final 10 minutes of regulation before winning it in overtime. This time Everett trailed 3-1 with less than five minutes remaining before Josh Birkholz pulled Everett within one. The Tips pressed for the equalizer, but came up short.
Much like that previous Spokane game Everett wasn’t able to generate much offense tonight. The Tips have been scoring more goals of late, but scoring chances were few and far between for Everett against a Chiefs team that was solid in its own end.
The Tips didn’t get much help from the zebras tonight, either. The power plays were 7-2 in favor of Spokane, and a couple of those Everett penalties were sketchy to say the least. The one that stunned me came midway through the first period when Everett goaltender Austin Lotz was given a delay-of-game penalty for not dropping a held puck at the referee’s command. I thought goalies were supposed to be given a warning before a penalty was called, but there was no warning tonight. Even the linesmen didn’t seem to be favoring the Tips as Everett was on the wrong end of a lot of close offsides calls.
And Spokane took full advantage of the power plays, scoring its first two goals on the power play to negate Ryan Murray’s opening goal.
TURNING POINT
The five penalty kills Everett had during a 22-minute stretch spanning the first and second periods wore the Tips down.
HIT OF THE DAY
Early in the second period Everett’s Nick Walters dumped Jason Fram after Fram was denied a chance at the post.
THREE STARS
First star: Steve Kuhn, Spokane. Two goals and one assist, he sure seemed to have the puck a lot.
Second star: Mac Engel, Spokane. 19 saves, he didn’t really have a whole lot to do.
Third star: Lotz. 32 saves, kept the Tips in it.
The Herald’s honorable mention: Brenden Kichton, Spokane. One assist, controlled things from the back.
BOX SCORE
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