TALKING POINTS
Wow. What a game. I could have sworn it was still February, so how was it possible that there was a playoff game at Comcast Arena tonight? Intense, well played, two excellent teams, few whistles, this one would have fit in just fine in late April instead of late February — with the exception of that whole shootout thing. Best game I’ve witnessed this season.
Everett trailed 2-0 after two periods, thanks to a pair of seeing-eye goals by Tri-City and tremendous goaltending from Alexander Pechurskiy. But the line of Clayton Cumiskey, Scott MacDonald and Dan Iwanski led an Everett charge that saw the Tips score three times to take a 3-2 lead with 1:32 remaining. But give the Americans credit, they stayed with it and tied it back up with 30.5 seconds remaining with Pechurskiy pulled for an extra attacker.
The Tips earned their point tonight. Unfortunately for Everett, the U.S. Division title is now a longshot. Tri-City stretched its lead over the Tips to four points, and Everett has just eight games remanining. The Americans also have one game in hand. Not an impossible task, but not likely, either.
Wouldn’t a playoff series between these two teams just be so much fun?
TURNING POINT
The first shift of the third period set the tone for the finale. Down 2-0, the Tips sent Cumiskey, MacDonald and Iwanski out to start the period. Those three kept the Americans pinned back for more than a minute before MacDonald fed Shane Harper streaking off the bench, and Harper played it back across the slot for Cumiskey to fire in. That got Everett on the board and sparked a dominating third period.
HIT OF THE DAY
Midway through the third Tri-City’s Brett Plouffe just leveled Cumiskey just as Cumiskey received a pass and prepared to move forward.
THREE STARS
First and second stars: Cumiskey with two goals and an assist, MacDonald with one goal and two assists. Just how valuable have these two become to Everett’s cause?
Third star: Pechurskiy. 40 saves. Drew Owsley may lead the league in wins, but I have to think Pechurskiy is making a play to be Tri-City’s starting goalie in the playoffs.
The Herald’s honorable mention: Brendan Shinnimin, Tri-City. Two goals, including the tying marker in the final minute of regulation, and also scored in the shootout.
BOX SCORE
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