Soft hands provide satisfying result

• If Geordie Wudrick and Brett Bulmer's hockey career's don't work out, they should look for employment with Palmolive. If the old commercial is any indication, it takes soft hands to work for that company. The two, who have arguably the softest hands on the team, used them Tuesday night in a game three playoff victory. Wudrick's power play goal in the second period followed by Bulmer's third period goal, which stood up as the game winner, led the Rockets to a 5-3 win over the Everett Silvertips. The win cuts the Tips series lead to 2 games to 1 heading into game four tonight.
• Wudrick's second period power play goal on a deflection from the slot was part of four straight goals after the Tips built up a 3-1 lead after one period. Bulmer's third period goal came with exactly four minutes left in regulation time on a quick shot that appeared to beat Tips goaltender Kent Simpson to the glove hand side. It was Bulmer's second goal of the series and Wudrick's 5th. I say fifth, even though Wudrick still has yet to be credited for scoring twice in a game two loss. Of the 11 goals scored by the Rockets in this series, Wudrick has five of them.
• Rockets coach Ryan Huska elected to pull starting goaltender Adam Brown after giving up a wrap around goal by Tips leading scorer Shane Harper 11 minutes into the game. Harper's goal makes it 2-1. The goal appears to beat Brown between the legs and comes after the Tips open the scoring on what appears to be a soft goal from Scott McDonald just 42 seconds into the contest. Guggenberger, making his first appearance in this years playoffs, makes 22 of 23 saves in a relief appearance.
• Guggenberger is expected to get the start in game four. It will mark the first time Guggenberger has started a game since March 9th, in a 5-2 loss in Spokane.
• The Rockets power play went two for two as the Tips again did a terrific job of staying out of the penalty box. While the Rockets power play capitalized on the few chances they were given, it also gave up just one goal on four Tip man advantages.
• Tyler Matheson had a strong game for the Rockets. Yes he did. The big man had a tremendous shift in the second period that appeared to give the home team the momentum. Matheson's line created a good scoring chance before Mitchell Callahan would eventually score to tie the game at three. It marked the second time in this series the Rockets battled back from a two goal deficit. In game one the Rockets battled back after trailing 3-1. The Rockets would eventually lose that game 5-4 in overtime.
• Tyson Barrie, who had just one point in the first two games of the series, had three assists in the game three victory. Barrie was hit hard in the second period by a clean check from Tips captain Zack Dailey. The hit appeared to catch Barrie in the hip/thigh. Barrie went down, was slow to get up, but stayed in the play and eventually received a penalty for cross checking, as he attempted to get his frustration out on someone wearing a Tips jersey.
• The home team has won all three games in this series.
• In all three games the Tips have opened the scoring.
• In all three games the winning team has scored five goals.
• Overall the Tips have out-scored the Rockets 13-11.
• The win means a game five is necessary in this series, which will be played Friday night in Everett.