TALKING POINTS
The Everett-Seattle rivalry was restored to normalcy tonight.
These teams have basically played nothing but one-goal games for four-plus seasons, but the last time they met Everett blew out Seattle 6-0 in a game that immediately followed an emotional T-birds victory at league-leading Kelowna. This was back to regularly scheduled programming, with both teams being tight defensively and scoring chances coming at a premium.
Indeed, Everett played a near perfect defensive game for more than 57 minutes and led 2-1 when Seattle pulled goaltender Taran Kozun for an extra attacker with 2:20 remaining. The extra skater gave the T-birds that extra push offensively, and Seattle tied it with just 24.8 seconds remaining to force overtime. It was the second time in a week in which the Tips allowed a six-on-five goal, the other coming last Sunday against Portland in a game Everett eventually won in overtime.
Despite the loss, I thought Everett played well tonight. Frankly, the Tips played better tonight than they did in Friday’s 6-0 victory over Vancouver. The defense in particular was very tight, with lots of collapsing on Seattle players in the slot and lots of blocking shots from the point. The T-birds had fewer than 20 shots on goal prior to Kozun going to the bench. But Seattle is a tough nut to crack, too, and the shootout is anyone’s game.
The point means Everett’s lead over Portland atop the U.S. Division is now eight points. The Winterhawks were idle, meaning the Tips have now played one more game. And I’m sure Portland was just thrilled that this game went to OT, both allowing Everett to stretch its lead and allow Seattle to pull within three points of second.
TURNING POINT
Everett was oh so close to a regulation victory. But with 24.8 seconds remaining Ryan Gropp fished the puck out of a scrum behind the Tips goal and threaded a pass to Keegan Kolesar in the high slot. Kolesar had enough time to fire off a shot that deflected off Mathew Barzal and into the net, trying the score.
THREE STARS
First star: Patrick Bajkov, Everett. One goal, but I’m not sure he really did a whole lot other than that.
Second star: Remi Laurencelle, Everett. One goal, he continues to produce offensively.
Third star: Barzal. One goal, was strong along the boards.
The Herald’s honorable mention: Really, the defenses deserve the accolades tonight. Everett’s defensive pairing of Cole MacDonald and Kevin Davis really didn’t put a foot wrong and was unfortunate to be on the ice when the tying goal was scored. And Seattle’s Ethan Bear won several 50-50 battles in important areas.
BOX SCORE
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