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I just can't put my finger on what it is. Could be lots of things:
Quotes from others will make up the bulk of this post.
From 2-year-old Baby Spokant (and last night's Honorary 7th player): "hockey game poo poo"
From birthday queen You Took My Seat: "You can only be so mad at bad reffing and you can only make your goalie do everything before you gotta do some shit yourself."
From coach on post-game show: "There wasn't one smart player out there on the ice (in an AMS jersey)."
No team that allows 42 shots on goal in 2 periods deserves to win a game. Drew Owsley is a friggin stud. Yes, they had a strong 3rd, but it still wasn't enough. They got out played by a determined rival. They couldn't make passes, couldn't keep the puck on their sticks, it was sloppy and just terrible. They seemed content to play mediocre and get the results they were getting.
"I thought we made dumb plays, and add to that not moving our feet, and that is a deadly combination against a good team," said Tri-City coach Jim Hiller. "This was unacceptable. There needs to be some soul searching after a game like this. On a night like this you have to at least compete, and we didn't even do that."So tonight is new game against Everett. Go AMS.
"This is a team loss," said Tri-City captain Jarrett Toll. "We won a game and we got too high. If we aren't going to put in the work, this is what's going to happen."(Herald)
I intended to write this post this morning, but things were insane, then family showed up and so on.
"We all liked Spencer, but he saw his role differently than what we thought and wasn't happy with his situation," Tory said. "You have to bring your best every night. If you aren't happy, we can't have you in the dressing room. Our team is at the point where you have to give what's needed, even if it's not exactly what you want."Based on this statement, if I were to take a wild guess, Spencer probably vocalized that he wanted more ice time, that he was unhappy with sitting in the stands. Being a teenager, he probably got to the point of frustration where there was some snarky attitude in his tone. I don't necessarily blame him, I know he worked hard in the off season to improve his play, but whatever. Obviously, I don't know what all goes on behind the scenes, but that statement from Bob pretty much says Spencer wasn't happy, if he's not happy, they didn't want him here.
Tri-City may have three big games this week, but coach Jim Hiller is taking it one day at a time."We are approaching it as Portland (tonight) and nothing else," said Hiller, whose team is 2-0 against the Winterhawks this season. "We are narrowing the focus a bit. That's where we have to start -- bite-sized chunks."
After Saturday's 7-1 home loss to Regina that ended the Americans' nine-game win streak at Toyota Center, they can't afford to look further than the game in front of them.
"It was pretty clear where we broke down," Hiller said. "Did we learn anything? We'll find out (tonight). We have done a good job of bouncing back after losses. We've done good things, but when it doesn't go our way, we don't respond very well. We had a work day and now we are excited to play again. We just want to get our game back where it needs to be." (Herald)
Shinny will miss tonight's game but is slated to be back for the weekend games. Not sure what that will mean for the line combinations. It would be easy to plug in a kid like Olstad, Holland, or Moser into his spot without completely disrupting the other lines, but who knows. It's only one game so there will probably be some shuffling, especially depending on how they're playing against Portland.
Bob moved size when sending Spencer to PG, got size in return from Vancouver.
Tri-City Americans Governor/General Manager Bob Tory announced today that the team has traded for the rights to 19-year-old forward Todd Kennedy from the Vancouver Giants in exchange for a 13th round pick in the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft. The move puts Tri-City's roster at 25 players (15 forwards, 8 defensemen and 2 goaltenders).So let me get this straight. You trade away an 18-year old who can score and push bodies around for a 19-year old who has 8 points in 76 games and 162 PIMs. I'm sorry, I just don't get it. And yes, I am so completely biased, I adore the shit out Spencer. I still don't think this makes sense. Whatever. Guess that's why I'm not, nor will I ever be, a GM. Some moves just never make sense to me.
Kennedy, listed at 6'3 212 pounds, has appeared in seven games for Vancouver this season, collecting 16 penalty minutes. Now in his third WHL season, Kennedy has appeared in 76 career games, between Regina and Vancouver, totaling three goals, eight points and 162 penalty minutes.
"An opportunity arose late last night to acquire (Todd) from Vancouver. With the pick we acquired from Prince George for (Spencer) Asuchak, we were able to take advantage of this opportunity," Tory explained. "I've respected his physical aspect he brings to his game since he was 17 and we look forward to him competing for ice time on this club." (amshockey.com)
Bob Tory also announced today that 19-year-old forward Sergei Drozd has been named to the Belarusian squad for the upcoming 2010 World U20 Championships Division 1, Group B Tournament, which starts on December 14 in Gdansk, Poland. He will miss up to seven games, as he departs on December 5 for pre-tournament practices and will return on December 26.Good for Stoli! Huzzah!!
I can't find a link or video or anything (go figure) but apparently some of the boys (Jarrett Toll and 9 of his teammates according to the radio) got up yesterday morning and went and worked on a house for Habitat for Humanity. Didn't know you could love them any more, did you?
The boys also help out with Meals on Wheels. I don't know what it takes to get Meals on Wheels, but Neal Prokop can deliver me breakfast in bed any old time* :)
photo from amshockey.com, courtesy Ronn Carlson
In other news, Shinny leaves for Victoria today to play in the Canada/Russia Subway superseries or whatever it's called now. He'll miss Wednesday's game. (Herald)
And now news of the bizarre. I had a strange dream last night that there was some article in the Herald that essentially berated the players, the WHL, and so on, though I can't remember what exactly the beef was. Something about the money they make or something. I dunno. But I wrote up a blog post reacting to it (shocking) and when the comments came rolling in, one of the commenters was our own Jordan Messier. It was a mini-novel, I don't even remember what all he was talking about. He was obviously disagreeing with statements made in the article (which I had done in my post too) and clarifying stuff from a player standpoint. That's all. It was weird.
THIS IS THE MOST BORING 1000TH POST EVER IN THE HISTORY OF BLOGGING. But yay for hitting that milestone!
*apologies for making an inappropriate statement. MOWAA is a great organization dedicated to feeding hungry seniors.
The Prince George Cougars have acquired F Spencer Asuchak, 18, from the Tri-City Americans for a 2010 WHL bantam draft choice. The 6-foot-4, 210-pound Asuchak, who turned 18 on Sunday, is from Kamloops. He has four points in 12 games with the Americans this season.(Drinnan)
THIS SUCKS SO HARD I CAN'T PUT IT INTO WORDS.
Title courtesy of Spokant, pretty much sums it up.
"I think we are used to it going our way, and when it didn't, we had a tough time dealing with it. We pouted," said Tri-City coach Jim Hiller. "There are nights when bounces go your way and things are easy. Tonight it didn't and we responded with a spoiled-child attitude. Now we have to respond -- that's the next challenge."I don't really have a ton to add. I didn't think they played especially terrible, but like coach said, they didn't respond well. Any attempts to respond were half-assed and just didn't happen. No puck luck. At all. At one point I tweeted "There could be no one in a white jersey on the ice including the goalie and AMS still wouldn't be able to get a goal tonight" *
Tri-City had ample opportunities to score, outshooting the Pats 36-24, but errant passes and missed chances around the net had the Americans' offense in disarray throughout the game. And their vaunted power play, ranked third in the league, was booed by the fans as they finished 0-for-9. (Herald)
So much awesomeness packed into one game last night.
"I thought start to finish it was our best game of the year," said Tri-City coach Jim Hiller. "We started off with a huge penalty kill, then we got our momentum back. And those two fights (late in the third) showed we were going hard until the end. That was impressive to me."I love how often quotes from coach include "it was our best game of the year" there's been several of those. Does that mean they're improving and he's impressed or is that just the line he gives? I dunno, I don't care, I'll take it. It was really a damn good game.
"I just saw Feser coming off the bench and ripped it off to him before the defense got to him," Mestery said. "I was nervous driving to the rink to day, but once I got in the locker room I was OK. I really missed the fans -- they aren't that good in Lethbridge."oh baby, I missed you too. On Twitter last night I said "sorry Neal Prokop, you had your chance, but Eric Mestery is back in town." But I realized I'm not fully ready to dump Neal as my hockey boyfriend. So I'll have to have 2 for now. I'm guessing when Mestery shaves off the porn 'stache, it'll be game over for Neal. Sorry kitten, defensemen win my heart every time.
"I'm a little more confident every game," said Lazo, who has 10 goals. "I was in a slump on that road trip, it's nice to get back on track. I think the comfort of playing at home has helped us."It was great to see that line, especially Johnny get their mojo going. They'd been too quiet lately. In the past Johnny's been streaky so it was good to see his slump end quickly.
"When he needed to make the big save, he did," Hiller said. "I think he'd be the first to tell you it was a big team effort in front of him."Oh Drew Owsley. You and your sexy shutout. I feared I jinxed it when I thought about the possibility of the SO in the 2nd period. But no, our little Owl held down the fort and for real, the team played phenomenal in front of him (minus some shifts by Riley and a near own-goal from Moser).
It's game day! AMS take on the Everett "they don't suck like I thought they would" Silvertips.
The big news obviously is the re-acquisition of Eric Mestery.
Rarely do I agree with anyone on the message board (I know, I just couldn't stay away, I fail) but this from Steve is spot on:
He could come in here and play 59 minutes of perfect hockey and be the number 1 star but if he turns the puck over at the 59:30 mark that is all half of the people on here will remember and they will crucify him for it. Every player makes the occasional mistake out there but his will be magnified 10 fold. Lets all give him another chance and not hold him to an unreasonble standard. In other words dont focus only on his mistakes.I, for one, BELIEVE IN ERIC MESTERY. So does Bob Tory apparently. I may have to make a sign.
Steve
And Eric if you are reading this welcome back but do yourself a favor and stop reading this board.
"We wanted to acquire a top four defenseman," Tory said. "The number of good defensemen available is limited and we didn't want to wait until the trade deadline. We paid a premium, but we feel we are a better team than we were yesterday."Couple other important items for your Friday:"It's a really good day," said Mestery, despite having to battle snow, rain and wind during the drive between Lethbridge and Spokane. "I know all the guys except for the rookies. I'm going to be really comfortable there. I've had kind of a disappointing start to the season, but hopefully I'll be able to impact our lineup."
"Eric and I are really good friends," Schmidt said. "We grew up playing together. He's really happy to be coming back. It could be the best thing to happen to his career, especially with the coaching style that Jim (Hiller) has. It will be good for his game."
The Tri-City Titans, a Junior A - Tier III hockey team that's a member of the Nor-Pac Hockey League, will also be holding a fundraising table at both games for the Giovanni Madili Medical Fund. Madili, a former Titans player who attended the Americans' training camp in 2007, required emergency brain surgery this summer and the Titans formed the medical fund to help the Madili Family offset some of the costs incurred from the procedure. Fans looking to donate can stop by the Tri-City Titans table on the Toyota Center concourse behind Section C. (amshockey.com)There will be several local kids playing, a couple who have been to AMS training camps so it's a great way to support local hockey.
KENNEWICK, WA - Tri-City Americans Governor/General Manager Bob Tory announced today that the team has traded for the rights to 19-year-old defenseman Eric Mestery from the Lethbridge Hurricanes in exchange for a 2nd round pick in the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft.I got a lot of shit from people because I was never a Mestery hater. There are many who are. I don't wanna hear about it. I'm taking at least a week off from the message board starting now. I always saw his potential, he is an excellent skater.
(amshockey.com)
Is my awarding waffles to hockey players after games causing a waffle shortage??
It is cause for concern, but I say phooey to Eggo waffles. I make home made waffles for my hockey players. Combination of special ingredients, including love. Be jealous you aren't getting any. Srsly.
and then get this amazing tune stuck in your head. It's stickier than real Canadian maple syrup.
Here's the deal, junior hockey sucks because we get attached to these players, sometimes get to know them a bit off the ice. They are so nice and polite, as well as fun to watch on the ice. But it's a business, and that is always ALWAYS the hard part to remember.
Bottom line, AMS had too many defensemen on the roster. It doesn't help a players development to be sitting in the stands, it doesn't help the team to not have consistent lineups with chemistry because of the need to play every one.
Werbs, while he will totally be missed, was not really a surprising move once I calmed down and thought about it. He's 18 so still has two more years beyond this one in the league. He's good enough now to be a 3rd/4th defense pairing guy. He has enough value to make him appealing for a team (Edmonton) to pick up.
I think it's a good move for Lane, he'll be able to get more playing time and that will help his development. But damn, I'll sure miss that goofy bastard.
There was a time I got very angry at every move Bob made. But I'm starting to get it now, I get why he makes most of the moves he makes. But it's junior hockey, and it SUCKS.
woah, what?
from amshockey.com
KENNEWICK, WA - Tri-City Americans Governor/General Manager Bob Tory announced today that the team has traded the rights to 18-year-old defenseman Lane Werbowski to the Edmonton Oil Kings in exchange for a 4th round pick in the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft. The move reduces Tri-City's roster to 24 players (15 forwards, 7 defensemen and 2 goaltenders).GOOD LUCK LANER!! YOU'LL BE MISSED!!!
Werbowski, listed at 6'0 185 pounds, has appeared in 18 games this season for Tri-City, collecting two assists, seven penalty minutes and a plus-5 rating. Selected in the sixth round (113th overall) in the 2006 Bantam Draft by Tri-City, the Winnipeg-native has appeared in 118 games with the Americans, totaling four goals, 23 points, 47 penalty minutes and a plus-15 rating.
"(Lane) was in and out of the line-up this season. This move allows for him to compete for more ice time in Edmonton," explained Tory. "We want to thank Lane for his contributions to the team and wish him all the best with the Oil Kings."
Did you see that game last night? Because referees Hanson and Iverson most certainly did not.
AMS got all their scoring done in the 1st period, lighting Behbeh Pickard up for 5 goals. Sexy time. Seriously, first goal by Neal Prokop. PA announcer says "give it to #25 Neal Prokop", I turned to You Took My Seat and said "oh I'll give it to #25 alright..." Scoring also came from Lazo, Macek, Feser, and a seriously sickkkk goal by Tyler Schmidt. I was surprised Sumner didn't pull poor Pick, but the other two periods made me see why.
AMS sat back on the 5-goal lead, refs tried to hand the game to the Thunderbirds, and the T-Birds might be in last place in the division, but they're not ever a team to just roll over and take that kind of beating so they made AMS work for it and keep that lead. Pick shut the door after the 5 and was stellar in the 2nd and 3rd.
Drew Owsley was un-fucking-real. That's right, I've dropped the f-bomb on the blog, that means I'm serious. I've been trying to thinking about cleaning it up around here, you see.* The goals that he allowed were, yes, ones he should have/could have had, but there were defensive lapses and really, Seattle doesn't entirely suck. The saves he made were ri-damn-diculous.
Adam Hughesman left after the 1st period and did not return. I admit, I did not see what happened to him. But I do not like this one bit. Ugh I hope he's ok.
I will also admit I wasn't paying as close attention to the 2nd and 3rd period because I was maniacally texting--it was very important, I can assure you. Besides, it helped the semi-collapse (I'll refrain from saying full collapse since they still managed to win) be less painful.
oh hey, there's a write-up in the Herald.
In the end, good play overcame (once again) bad reffing. As it should. But holy shit, Schmidt's lucky to still have all his teeth after that high stick in the 3rd right in front of Hanson. *facepalm*
In two more days we'll all be back at the Toyota Center to see the boys take on the not-as-sucky-as-I-thought-they'd-be Everett Silvertips.
*liveblogs don't count.
IT'S FINALLY GAME DAY
AND NO MATTER THAT I'M RUNNING ON ABOUT FOUR HOURS OF SLEEP, IT'S AWESOME TO KNOW I'M GOING TO BE WATCHING ACTUAL HOCKEY TODAY. AWESOME. YOUR ARGUMENT? INVALID.
SEE YA AT THE GAME BITCHES.
Ass pat to Ms. Conduct for passing this link to me.
So - enter Chet Pickard? At the time of our first article, there was no other viable option for the Admirals, as Pickard had played only one game and got shelled at Abbotsford. That may no longer be the case.His season numbers still look awful; a 3.64 GAA and .871 save percentage. But take out that horrible professional debut in Abbotsford - and Pick's got a 1.98 GAA and .925 save percentage. The difficulty in evaluating Pickard is still the small sample size; he only has three starts under his belt. But watch him play and you see the poise and the positioning that makes him a top prospect in the Predators system. As uncomfortable as Dekanich looks, Pickard is beginning to look like he belongs.
The big question here is: Can you really trust a 19 year old to be your primary goalie? Grand Rapids is the only AHL team giving regular playing time to a goalie so young. Thomas McCollum is actually younger than Pickard - by a week - and has started most of the griffin's games. However, he has also provided the types of peaks and valleys that can usually be expected with the youth. He surrendered only 1 goal three times this year; but he also gave up six goals in a game...and 7 goals in another game.
Take a look at the stuff from Alan Caldwell today--Sbisa was invited to Olympics, Caldwell has interesting look at the situation.
What the shit was that mess? I'm not going to panic, but two of the last 3 games are cause for concern. There are a couple things to keep in mind, however:
Sorry Kruise, I don't know how you or why it happens, but you play your best hockey when I talk smack about your play on the liveblogs. Therefore, it has to continue. I'm superstitious like that. If shit-talking = hattricks, you can be damn sure it's gonna keep happening, sorry kitten. Apparently his folks were there last night too, D'AWWWWWWWWW!!1
It was mentioned several times last night that it seemed coach was juggling the lines, and he probably was....to an extent. Obviously, listening on the radio makes it difficult to determine who is on the ice with whom and when and whatnot. But obviously, he's going to keep Shinny-Lazo-Hughey together. Then it sounded like Reddick-Stoli-Macek were together for the most part. I like that combination, and not just because of 3 goals last night. The 3rd and 4th lines are going to be juggled because of the guys who are on those lines. Wilgs-Prokop-Messier filled a lot of time as the 3rd line, with Moser-Holland-Feser making up the last group. The awesome thing about the depth this team has is that Feser is not a 4th line player. Holland isn't necessarily either. Messier and Co. could easily be considered 2nd line (when looking at typical "definitions" of lines).
I'm sure it's not easy for coach to come up with line combinations with the depth that exists. Do you interfere with the chemistry Stoli-Reddick-Macek have to give Feser the ice time he deserves? At what point do you put Macek and Messier together because they have shown to have positive chemistry too?
When they are up, say 8-1, it's easy, you can roll all 4 lines, or even just roll 2nd-4th lines to get the kids lots of ice time. When it's only a two goal lead and Whoreicanes not rolling over, it's not so easy to do.
I predict Marty gets a start tonight in Cranbrook. The Kootenay Ice are in last place (I think?). Not that Marty should only play against last place teams, but it'll be a good time to rest Owsley and Brett deserves some playing time. As usual, my predictions will probably end up being complete bullshit. Whatever. Let's liveblog! Remember still on Mountain Time for this one!
Whoo whoo whose hometown? The one and only Drew Owsley will be playing in front of the home crowd as the boys take on the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
AND OH MY GOODNESS THERE'S A GREAT ARTICLE IN THE LETHBRIDGE HERALD ABOUT THE OWL!
Proud to be an AmericanDon't forget the time zone difference, pre-game starts at 5:45 our time! See y'all at the live blog!
Written by Dale Woodard
Drew Owsley always hoped he would one day step out onto the Enmax Centre ice wearing a Lethbridge Hurricanes jersey.
But as the local 19-year-old netminder steps out tonight, he’ll be happy with the jersey he’s wearing.
So will the Tri-City Americans.
Owsley — along with fellow Lethbridge product forward Patrick Holland — take to the ice tonight as the 15-4 U.S. Division-leading Americans tangle with the Hurricanes during Western Hockey League action at 7 p.m.
“I’m pretty excited to play in front of friends and family,” said Owsley. “I grew up watching the Hurricanes and always wanted to play here.”
Tonight Owsley will get that chance, even if it’s just for one game as a member of the visiting team.
“It’ll be a bit different, but I’m happy where I am,” and Owsley.
So are the Americans.
“At the camp there was talk about the Russian goalie coming,” said Owsley. “I just tried not to worry about that. I came in motivated from the start.”
That motivation landed Owsley the starter’s job and the hefty workload that came with it.
“It’s a lot different than last year,” said Owsley. “Last year I would play a game and sit out for 10. I can get into a groove more and get more confidence every game I play.”
His starter’s role didn’t come without some hard work as Owsley rolled up his sleeves over the summer months and trained with goaltender coach Gerry Price, father of Montreal Canadiens netminder Carey Price.
“He’s been a big help,” said Owsley. “He knows the game and his son is in the NHL. He knows how to deal with certain things. He told me to play my style of game. He didn’t try to change anything.”
found this on the AMS website, nice article about Jordan Messier and Nils Moser both being from Canmore. d'awwwwwwww
Messier, a 6-2, 193-pound second-year right-winger, says it’s been nice to share this year’s on-ice success with someone from his hometown.
“It’s been fun to be a part of this together,” said the 17-year-old, who, after establishing himself as a two-way player during his rookie campaign with the Americans, has brought his goal-scoring act to Tri-City this season, burying five goals in his last five games. “Nils and I joke around a lot in the dressing room… he’s just a fun guy to be around. It’s also nice having someone to talk to about home when we’re away from the rink.”
For a 16-year-old rookie having to make the transition from midget to major junior hockey, and becoming accustomed to the difficulties of life away from home, Moser says it’s been particularly welcoming to have a hometown acquaintance around to guide him in the right direction.“It’s definitely been great to know someone from back home, especially being one of the younger guys on the team,” said Moser, who notched his first WHL goal in Friday’s 8-2 home win over the Vancouver Giants.
“It helped going to Notre Dame for a season, but it’s the guys that have been through this before, like Jordan, that have helped me the most.”
I blame the CHL weekly poll for the loss. Everytime that damn poll moves the AMS up, they lose. It's a curse, a jinx, whatever.
I don't know if it goes to their heads or what. "hey we're in 3rd, we're awesome" and then they forget that they have to play like they're a 3rd place (1st place?) team?
Maybe it's just general overconfidence?
Maybe it's because the similar style Tigers just had a solid game plan and stuck to it.
Maybe it was because Sergei was back so lines were juggled a bit.
Maybe it was because it was yet another road game.
Maybe even a great team can have an off night. Which sucks.
Maybe whatever tactics Don (and Terry) used to get Brett Plouffe so good last year need to be revisited. And perhaps Fluffy just needs to pull his head out of his ass and get focused on playing hockey.
Friend at the game reported that the loss was not Owsley's fault, that it was a team failure. Also says Tigers were blocking shots like crazy.
So I hope the boys have fun curling today, get last night out of their system, and be ready for Friday's game.
Couple things before you get to liveblog action:
I'll refrain from launching into a tirade (no, really) about how this country, supposedly the best country in the world, ought to be embarrassed about how our veterans are treated (crappy benefits, poor condition of VA Hospitals--those that are even still open, that is--and so on).
I encourage you to take a look at what Chemmy had to say over at Pension Plan Puppets. And I agree with him, it's a small gesture on the part of Cherry, but has a huge impact. I have long felt a US broadcaster should do the same
I'll leave you with a famous poem by Canadian John McCrae.
In Flanders Fields
by John McCrae, May 1915
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
the entire internet was broken around these parts today or I would have posted this sooner. If you haven't seen it yet, our favorite Gregg Drinnan has a great piece on our AMS, focusing on Adam Hughesman and his awesomeness.
It was in mid-February of 2008 that I posted a piece here about the Tri-City Americans and their relationship with a young lady by the name of Jessi.Read the rest here. It's a special story, and just confirms that these young men are mature, thoughtful, respectful, and most of all, kind.
Jessi is a huge fan of the Americans who has Down Syndrome. She helped out with the three-star presentation following a game on Feb. 1, 2008, and got a real thrill when Tri-City F Taylor Procyshen gave her his stick.
Just three days later, Jessi had a massive pulmonary embolism and we just about lost her.
At that time, Dawn Johnson, Jessi’s teacher, told us that Jessi “also suffered a stroke and is now blind.”
Procyshen, Kruise Reddick and Jarrett Toll, three veterans, found the time to visit Jessi in hospital and help get her started on the road to recovery.
Well, the Americans were back with Jessi and others on Sunday at a Bowling with the Ams function played host to by the booster club.
And it was F Adam Hughesman who chose to take Jessi under his wing.
“Just had to let you know how great Adam was at the bowling,” Dawn wrote to Hughesman’s billets. “I'm sure you remember my special friend Jessi. . . . Anyway, Adam bowled with her and totally made her day.
“The other kids were all good and nice with her but Adam was exceptional, cheering her on after every turn. Jessi isn't known for big smiles, yet Adam was able to elicit several out of her.
“I'm sure I'm not telling you anything you don't already know but it sure was appreciated by her family and me.”
WHL Player of the Week for our Shinny!
from whl.ca:
mmmm Boston Pizza is yummy.CALGARY, AB. - The BOSTON PIZZA WHL Player of the Week is forward Brendan Shinnimin of the Tri-City Americans.Shinnimin collected six points, scoring three goals and three assists to go with a +3 rating, in two games over the past week, helping the Americans post a 2-0 record in that span.On Tuesday, November 3rd, the Americans were in Kamloops to face the Blazers at the Interior Savings Centre. Shinnimin netted one goal and added an assist as the Americans downed the Blazers 8-3. On Friday, November 6th the Americans were back in the friendly confines of the Toyota Center set to host the Vancouver Giants in a battle for top spot in the WHL Eastern Conference. Shinnimin scored twice and collected a pair of assists as the Americans defeated the Giants in convincing fashion 8-2. He was also named the games 1st Star.Shinnimin’s six points over the last two games has him sitting 2nd among all WHL scorers with 34 points (15 goals, 9 assists) in 18 games played. The Tri-City Americans have won 13 of their last 14 games including a current four game win streak and presently hold top spot in the WHL U.S. Division and Western Conference with a 15-3-0-0 record for 30 points. They also maintain the WHL’s leading win percentage at 0.833.Shinnimin, an 18-year-old from Winnipeg, Manitoba, is in his second full season with the Tri-City Americans. The hard working forward wasn’t selected in his first year of NHL Draft eligibility (2009), but having well surpassed his point total from last season (25), combined with his drive and skill-set, NHL scouts will take note this season.
Hot team: Tri-City Americansheh. TORRID.
The Americans' impressive start continued as the U.S. Division leaders extended their winning streak to four games. Tri-City defeated Kamloops and Vancouver by a combined 16-5 margin last week. The Americans have won 13 of their last 14 games and gathered 30 of a possible 36 points this season.
Hot player: Brendan Shinnimin, Tri-City Americans
The renaissance season for Shinnimin continues as the sophomore forward kept his torrid scoring pace with three goals and three assists in two games. The 19-year-old has already topped last season's goal and assist totals and is second in league scoring behind Calgary's Brandon Kozun.
Shinnimin plays on a line with Adam Hughesman and Johnny Lazo, fellow Winnipeggers who also formed a line with him on the Thrashers a few years back.Another amazing thing to notice, is how excited Shinny gets after scoring goals. His head nearly pops right off his body. To me, that shows an excitement and passion for the game and the hard work he's put in to be a better player. It all shows in that face he makes after scoring. Hell, it does for all of them when they get a goal. I thought Nils Moser would actually explode the other night.
"We've got some chemistry and it has been working out pretty well so far this season," Shinnimin said.
That might be an understatement.
Hughesman is second on the team with 11 goals and 26 points, while Lazo is fourth with 18 points, one back of Winnipegger Brooks Macek, who has 19.
"There's not as much pressure going to Tri-City because you know all these guys and you know they are going to have your back," said Shinnimin, who played one season with the MJHL's Selkirk Steelers before graduating to the WHL. "It makes you feel more at home. It's easy for everyone to get along because you've already made friends with them in a previous year. It makes it easy for the whole team to have a tight dressing room."
That close-knit dressing room has worked wonders so far. The Americans are ranked fifth in the CHL and are setting their sights on a league championship.
"Obviously I'm pretty happy with the way the season has started not only for myself but for the team too," Shinnimin said. "Our team has had a great start. I think this individual success is coming from the team success."
I'm far to indecisive I was so impressed with everyone's posters, so the winners are as follows:
Eight goals against one of the best teams in the WHL. I had to keep checking to see if it was real life.
THIRTEEN DIFFERENT AMERICANS HAD POINTS LAST NIGHT.
That, my friends, is scoring by committee. Wait till Sergei's back too.
Asuchak, Prokop, Lazo, Moser, Castro, Sutherland, Feser, Reddick, Macek, Messier, McIntosh, Hughesman, and of course Brendan Shinnimin.
I thought it was one of Brock Sutherland's best games ever. Neal Prokop as well, he continues to impress. Same with that Drydn Dow. I could just go through the roster and say how impressed I am with virtually every one of them.
The win puts AMS at the top of the Western Conference and tied for second with Calgary in the WHL. Shinny is 2nd in scoring (5th in goals), and Owsley remains in 1st with the most wins in the WHL.
I BELIEVE IN JIM HILLER
And do we really need to talk about Drew Owsley or his awesomeness just a given at this point? Seriously, I peed a little with a couple of those lightning quick, grab-outta-the-air glove saves. Sister and I were in too much disbelief to remember to hold up our "I Believe in Drew Owsley" sign.
To those on ye olde board of messages, who think this team isn't big enough, tough enough, and want to trade away future pieces, I hope you saw the work of Asuchak, Prokop, Castro, Sutherland, Messier, and even McIntosh last night. Yes, I'm aware the Giants, despite their name, aren't the biggest team like Portland or Brandon (those guys were big), but I am not of the belief the AMS are too small or not physical enough to compete this season (and go deep into playoffs).
With Brandon willing to pay high to acquire pieces to make them better for the Memorial Cup, I believe the price will be too high if Bob did decide another piece was needed for this team. Again, I personally think there's a great combination of speed, skill, size, and grit dispersed throughout the current lineup to be competitive. And depth, 4 lines that can score. Defense that can block shots and score goals.
First, from Drinnan:
F Ryan Kinasewich (Medicine Hat, Tri-City, 1998-2004) of the Utah Grizzlies is the ECHL’s Reebok player of the month for October. He led the ECHL with nine goals, three of them game-winners, in five games. He totalled 14 points in those five games. He had three or more points in four of the games. . . . In 229 ECHL games over six seasons, he has 307 points. That includes 269 points in 187 games with Utah. He also became Utah’s all-time leading scorer when he notched his 112th goal on Oct. 24. . . . And he is nine points shy of Chris Taylor’s franchise record for career points (278).Utah is in Boise facing the Steelheads tomorrow night. Sister and I were gonna go but damn, money is tight. Sucks. We try to get over to Boise at least once a year, it's good hockey, fun to watch another level play.
The Central league’s Amarillo Gorillas have signed F Jason Beeman (Tri-City, 2001-06). Beeman, 24, played for the China Sharks of the Asian league last season.I LOL'd at the team name in the same sentence with Jason Beeman.
"They are clearly one of the most successful franchises in the league," said Tri-City coach Jim Hiller. "You want to measure up to them. If you can compete with them, it gives you confidence."The Americans won the first meeting between the teams 5-3 on Oct. 17 at Pacific Coliseum, but they had to rally from two goals down before taking control of the game in the third period.
"We have to play better than that," Hiller said. "I think we have to go harder to the net and draw penalties. We are fast to the net, but sometimes we get too cutesie."
"There are no easy games. We were bound to lose sometime," Hiller said. "Sometimes you win and not play as well as you should. Chilliwack outworked us. We've changed that."
-----------------------------
Tonight's game is the deadline for the "I BELIEVE" contest. I had two more delivered to my inbox this morning:
This one from Mikaela who gets mad points for surprising the hell out of me :)
This one from Wangler, it translates to "I Believe in Sergei Drozd". It shows the progression of all the teams he's played for. I am rather impressed. I also really dig the Belarussian team's logo.
So if I still haven't seen your entry for the contest, email me or find me at the game so I can have a look!
DROZD CONTINUES TO REWRITE WJAC RECORD BOOK
When he arrived in Camrose, Alta., for the 2008 World Junior A Challenge, Siarhei Drozd was a relatively unknown commodity, a good player on a Belarus team many expected to finish near the bottom of the pack.Yes, I totally just cut and pasted that whole thing from the Hockey Canada site. Don't care.
By the time he finishes his second WJAC tour of duty this week in Summerside, the tournament record book may well by a tribute to the Minsk native.
Drozd made a splash in his first game, scoring twice on the power play as Belarus pulled off what is likely the biggest upset in tournament history, beating the two-time defending gold medalists from Canada West in a shootout.
He finished the 2008 tournament as the leading goal scorer, potting seven – breaking the previous single-year record of six. The seven goals also made him the tournament’s all-time leading goal scorer – no other player had scored more than six, let alone in one year.
Drozd’s WJAC résumé includes:
• Most goals, all-time – 10
• Most power play goals, all-time – 7
• Most hat tricks, all-time – 2
• Most goals, one year – 7
• Most power play goals, one year – 5
• Most points, one game – 5 (shared)
• Most power play goals, one game – 3
• Most goals, one period – 3 (shared)
• Most power play goals, one period – 3
• Most points, one period – 3 (shared)
• Fastest goals from the start of a period – 0:13
• Fastest three goals, one player – 3:46
• Fastest three power play goals, one player – 3:46
Many of Drozd’s single-game records came in last year’s quarter-final victory over Germany, when he single-handedly led Belarus to the semifinals for the first time, scoring three times early in the third period to turn a 4-3 Belarussian lead into a 7-3 advantage.
He also added a pair of assists for good measure in the victory, joining Canada West’s Tyler McNeely (2006) and the United States’ Barry Almeida (2007) as the only players to rack up five points in a single game.
So what’s next? Drozd enters the quarter-finals with 12 career points (10g, 2a), just four shy of the all-time record held by Canada West’s Casey Pierro-Zabotel, who won a pair of gold medals in 2006 and 2007. And it wouldn’t surprise anyone in attendance at Molson Canadian Arena at CUP this week to see him claim that record as well.
Drozd’s performance in Camrose did more than just earn him a number of spots in the WJAC record book; he was selected 67th overall in the 2009 Canadian Hockey League Import Draft by the WHL’s Prince George Cougars, who then traded his rights to the Tri-City Americans.
He has flourished with the Americans thus far, putting up 10 points (3g, 7a) in 13 games while adapting to the North American game full time.
Before he gets back to the WHL grind, though, Drozd has two more WJAC performances to put on, beginning with a quarter-final showdown with Canada West.
As the only team with two regulation losses, the Belarussians will enter the playoff match-up as decided underdogs.
But as he showed one year ago, against the same team, Drozd enjoys that position just fine.
Spokant pointed me (and others) to this article yesterday in the comments, from the Calgary Sun:
Oh say, can you see ...Americans proving to be dawn's early light of the WHL campaign
Most WHL teams have reached the quarter-pole of the season.And, without question, the red-hot Tri-City Americans are the talk of the league.
It's not that the Americans, who posted a 101-point campaign last season, were expected to flounder.
But few were predicting a league-best 13-3 start to the season.
Head coach Jim Hiller said there were a number of openings in training camp after the club said good-bye to three key graduates.
Taylor Procyshen, Jason Reese and Mitch Fadden piled up a combined 238 points last season.
"We lost three 20-year-olds who played a lot of minutes last season," Hiller said. "We thought we had some guys who were capable of filling those minutes."
One player who's made the most of his increased ice time is 18-year-old centre Brenden Shinnimin.
The Winnipeg product leads the team with a dozen goals and 28 points through 16 games.
"He's one of the guys who we thought would be capable of stepping up," Hiller said of Shinnimin, who had 25 points in 64 tilts last season.
"We knew he'd be good, but he has been great to start the season. There was some opportunities created by (losing the overagers).
----------------------------"Yeah, (the fans) have been spoiled -- no question" Hiller said. "There was a question as to who would replace Carey. Then it was, 'Who's going to replace Chet?'
"Both of our guys have answered that question."
Drew Owsley has posted a 12-3 record and is among the league leaders with a 2.42 goals-against average and a .916 save percentage.
Prior to last night's game in Kamloops, backup Brett Martyniuk had yet to surrender a goal in 69 minutes of work.
ok, that title didn't work. I wanted to have it be "No DOWbt about it" but that's ridiculous. The point is, I wanted to give Drydn Dow some mad props for his sick game last night. Yes, he'll get waffles when I get home and can get to pictures to put his lovely face there :)
First TWO WHL goals! This kid is good. Srsly. I have been impressed with him from the start and now he's adding in some offense? Shut the front door! I love it!
Other awesomeness from the game (in addition to the 8-3 score):
This is from a great article from the USA Today written by hockey player Justin Bourne. If you're not reading his stuff, you should be. Not just this piece, but the writing he does at his personal site, The Hockey News, and USA Today. It's generally good hockey stuff, not always controversial articles like this one might be.We need to make a change now, because kids who move away from home to play junior hockey at 16 or 17 are still impressionable. If they don't encounter a good role model, the seeds are sown for a person, who after trying to fit in, thinks it's OK to drink, treat women a certain way and use homosexuality as a punchline.
I recently read a quote in the "Verbatim" section of Time from Julian Bond, chairman of the NAACP, encouraging African-Americans to support gay marriage. He said "black people, of all people, should not oppose equality." But really, shouldn't all of us have learned from the horrible mistakes of our past, not just African-Americans? There's not a single good reason for any of us to continue to support inequality in any shape or form. We'll look back at this time in our history and hang our heads for allowing this prejudice to continue.
Our Sergei Drozd got himself a hattie and player of the game yesterday in a loss to Canada East at the Junior A tourney. What a stud. Check out the game sheet here, ass pat to Wangler for the heads-up!
The boys, minus Stoli, are in that shithole Kamloops tonight to take on the Blazers. Just kidding about the shithole part*. Here's the rink (from the outside, and in summer):
Part of me wondering if Brett gets another start in net? All I know is Asuchak better get to play, it's his hometown.
I also hope the boys all went over to The Dirty Jersey for some yummy chicken wings. om nom nom nom. Or to the Nando's. Because Nando's is effing delicious. I miss Canada. Not Kamloops so much, but I'd take it just cuz there's Tim Horton's there.
*I'm not kidding. It wouldn't be so bad if a drunken crazy person had not been the one designing the layout of all the streets. The only thing I liked about this place was the amazing chicken wings at The Dirty Jersey. Sorry 'Loops, you're a dud.
Huge thanks to Ms. Conduct over at The 3rd Intermission for sending this link:
Pickard Paces Admirals To First Winning Streak
(Eric Kent contributed to this post -- All photos courtesy of Chris Jerina)
This Chet Pickard guy might be alright after all. Look at the picture -- he doesn't even need his goalie stick!
Pickard rebounded from his awful debut with a solid second start of his pro career, and collected his first professional win -- a 2-1 victory over the Rockford Ice Hogs on Halloween night.
as if anyone thought differently. In honour of yesterday being Halloween, here's a goalie dancing to "Thriller" srsly. Ass pat to bkblades over at Fallen Leafs.
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