AMS @ Portland

"The last few years, Tri-City and Spokane have come into our rink and gave it to us," said Mucha, who is slated to start tonight. "Tri is always a hard-working team. They gave us our only loss and (today) will be a hard game. It seems every year they have a top NHL pick in net, until now. Drew (Owsley) didn't play a lot last year and we will have to try and take advantage, but he is no pushover."

Owsley has started every game this season for the Americans and is off to a good start with a 2.48 GAA and a .910 save percentage.

"It's always hard when good players, well-established players, graduate," Hiller said. "When (Carey) Price left people wondered what would happen. Chet (Pickard) came in and a wrote a pretty good story for himself. So far, Drew has done that." (Herald)

Also this bit:

Alex Pechurski still is a no-show in the Americans locker room. The Russian goalie has completed -- and passed -- his interview with Homeland Security and now is in the process of trying to get a release from his Russian team.

"It's on their time table," said Americans general manager Bob Tory. "If they don't grant the release, he can't come. He wants to come, and we are hoping they will allow him to come."

Now I'm getting pissed. I know it's also the cough medicine, but still. Drew has obviously done well, we don't need no stinking From Russia With Glove. And if he does come, he should not automatically get #1 job. I do not think Drew (or Marty for that matter) should be tossed aside just because Alex shows up. That's bullshit. Those two did enough sitting when Chet played a bazillion games, already stunting their development.

Moving on....AMS in Portland to take on the Winterhawks tonight, you know what that means? LIVEBLOG! A couple of the regular participants will be at the game, but that's alright, come on in and say hi, everyone welcome :) Click here for streaming radio feed.