Game Day

Nothing in the paper today (at least the online edition) about last night's game (shocking). Not that we need to read about it more.

However, yesterday was a nice piece about Brendan Shinnimin:

"I did a lot of things in the offseason to prepare for this year," Shinnimin said. "I worked really hard. I knew there were older guys leaving and there would be spots open. I prepared for that."

"Last year I came in and I wasn't looked at to get in the lineup," Shinnimin said. "When I got in, I took advantage of my opportunities and did what I had to do to stay in the lineup. You have to show something every night. This year, I'm focusing on the same things. I just added a little bit more."

At 5-foot-9, 170 pounds and a listed player, Shinnimin had to bring his best every day to catch the eye of then-coach Don Nachbaur. It took a bit, but he soon found his niche.

"There were a few guys fighting for the last couple of spots last year," Shinnimin said. "I played the home opener, then only played a couple of the next eight games. I knew I had to do something to stay in the lineup. Once I stuck in the lineup, I never looked back. I really paid attention to the little details Don implemented and took advantage of it."

Shinnimin finished his rookie season with 12 goals and 13 assists with a plus-9 rating in 64 games. He's well on his way to shattering those numbers this season skating on a line with veterans Johnny Lazo and Adam Hughesman.

"Last year, our rookie line was pretty good, but Laz and Hughie know a lot about the league and knows what it takes," Shinnimin said. "We played midgets together (in Winnipeg) and we have some chemistry there. Fortunately it has worked out."

"We had a good start, which is what we wanted," Shinnimin said. "We played Kelowna in the first game and we played an all-around great game. We stuck to our system. The Portland game, we came out pretty hard, but let up in the second and third. Then we go into Spokane and we fell away from our systems early. We know we could have played better. Jim has been running some great drills and we are trying to fix some things to come out of this weekend with a couple of wins."

I heart Shinny. Srsly.

Tonight the Chiefs are in town. They're going to pissed off they lost last night and will be looking to get revenge (but on my team instead of Winterhawks). I'm gonna assume Coach has made this clear to the boys, as if he needed to.

In our new seats we will be in the company of lots of Spokane fans which I don't like, but whatever. I don't intend to start any shit, or take any. I will be wearing my "Spokanistan: This is war" shirt and cheering for my team.

I missed it, but apparently Bob and Westie were talking on the pre-game show about From Russia With Glove and it's a visa issue? Personally, I don't believe it. That's Bob being a PR/politician putting a nice spin on a deal that is falling through. I have said it before and I'll say it again, why the hell would he leave big money in Russia for petty stipend here and no Pittsburgh contract? Just not likely to happen. At one point, before season began, I said I'd love to be proven wrong and that he shows up, but I'm past that. I believe in Drew Owsley and Brett Martyniuk. Until they show they can't do it, either of them, both of them, I don't think AMS need another goalie. I know there's peeps who disagree with me and that's fine. Frankly, I'm tired of hearing about it. Let the boys play, let Ows and Marty play and be awesome.

It's game night. GO AMS GO!

And if you haven't seen it yet, this is amazing.



***UPDATE*** Dear Blogger--stop fucking up formatting of quotes. That looks like shit.