TALKING POINTS
Everett unleashed its veterans and earned its first win of the preseason. The Tips fielded a rookie-heavy team in their opening 4-1 loss to Tri-City. Tonight eight of the veterans who sat out Friday were in the lineup. With Spokane dressing a young team (13 possible rookies) and playing for the first time in the preseason, the Chiefs were unable to match Everett, which was clinical in front of net.
Offensively Everett had everyone going as all four lines found the net. Rookie Ty Mappin had some good chemistry with veteran Josh Winquist. The Tips also seemed to have more traffic in front of goal than I remember them having last season. However, for the second straight night Everett was ineffectual on the power play. The Tips will need some point men on the power play to emerge.
On defense, Austin Adam sure seems to block a lot of shots just by being big. Spokane’s forwards had a hard time getting shots past his shins. Newcomer Griffin Foulk was the only d-man to play in each of the first two games, and he looks like a player ready to make the team. Fifteen-year-old Kevin Davis received his first taste of WHL action, played a regular shift, and for the most part he handled himself well.
Both of Everett’s goaltenders were solid. Returner Austin Lotz, playing for the first time after sitting out training camp with a hamstring strain, stopped all 12 shots he faced. He seemed a tad rusty when it came to controlling his rebounds and his decision making, but he was at his acrobatic best. Andy Desautels saved 14 of 15 and was improved from Friday, so we’ll see how Troy Trombley responds Sunday.
TURNING POINT
Everett scored twice in 1:15 midway through the first period, Stathis Soumelidis scoring the first on a wrister from the circle and Winquist getting the second after a nice passing move involving Mappin and Cody Fowlie, to take control of the game.
HIT OF THE DAY
Spokane’s Jacob Cardiff had quite the shift midway through the third period when he managed to flatten all three of Everett forwards, first getting Trent Lofthouse, then JT Barnett along the boards, and then Manraj Hayer.
THREE STARS
No stars in the preseason.
BOX SCORE
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