TALKING POINTS
This game was all set up to be another third-period disaster for Everett.
The Tips entered the third period leading 3-1. They gave up a goal less than six minutes into the third. They were playing a Spokane team that’s given Everett more trouble in the third period than any other in the league. And with the Tips fresh off blowing a 3-0 third-period lead against Kootenay on Sunday, there was a definite sense of, “Here we go again.”
But the Tips didn’t yield this time. Everett wasn’t perfect in the third, but the Tips were a lot better about not surrendering the initiative completely while trying to hang onto a lead in the third.
Prior to that, Everett was maybe a little unfortunate to be down 1-0 after the first period, but maybe a little fortunate to outscore Spokane 3-0 in the second. Both teams had their share of scoring chances in the second, but the Tips had better finish.
TURNING POINT
It seemed like Everett was going to get a breather when the Tips got a power play with 4:36 remaining while leading 3-2. However, Everett just doesn’t do things the easy way in the third period right now as Adam Helewka, Spokane’s leading scorer, found himself with a short-handed breakaway.
It cannot be overstated just how good a play Everett defenseman Kevin Davis made in that situation. Davis came out of nowhere, dived with his stick at the puck, and somehow knocked it off Helewka’s stick, all without taking a penalty. That play was impossible, yet Davis somehow pulled it off.
Everett immediately broke the other way, and it was Nikita Scherbak’s turn to show why he’s a first-round NHL draft pick. He undressed Spokane captain Jason Fram, then juked around Chiefs goaltender Tyson Verhelst to give the Tips the all-important two-goal advantage.
THREE STARS
First star: Scherbak. Two goals and one assist, he was electric.
Second star: Helewka. One goal, he has four goals and four assists in his past three games against Everett.
Third star: Austin Lotz, Everett. 31 saves, he stood strong when the Tips needed it.
The Herald’s honorable mention No. 1: Davis. Two assists, he actually had some uncharacteristic defensive lapses early in the game, but that last play on Helewka is worthy of a star all on its own.
The Herald’s honorable mention No. 2: Kailer Yamamoto, Spokane. No points, but you’re really telling me this kid is a skinny 5-foot-8 late birthdate 16-year-old? He’s going to be one heck of a player when it’s all said and done.
BOX SCORE
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