SAVE THE HOOTERS

Breast cancer awareness night, here's to hoping for SUBTLE pink ice so it's doesn't burn the retinas like last year.

"It goes without saying, I think this is a special night," said Tri-City coach Jim Hiller. "It humbles everyone in the rink -- on both sides. I think everyone has been affected one way or another. Everyone gets to step back and realize how fortunate they are."

Tonight, the ice will be pink, the Tri-City players will wear commemorative pink jerseys and there will be pink T-shirt sales, silent auctions and donation jars at the Tri-Cities Cancer Center booths around the arena. The jerseys will be auctioned off during the game. All proceeds will benefit the Tri-Cities Cancer Center Foundation.

Mr. Spokant nailed it in yesterdays' comments, the boys seem to be lacking hunger.  That's the word I'd been trying to come up with when talking about heart and passion and whatnot, it's hunger.  They have heart and passion, but there's not enough hunger on some nights.

The area that Hiller has some concern with is his top line of Brendan Shinnimin, Adam Hughesman and Johnny Lazo. The trio has combine for just three goals and seven assists in the last seven games. Shinnimin has dropped from the top 10 scoring list down to 14th.

"I don't think there is any way to sugarcoat it, they are in a rut," Hiller said. "They haven't had a game in awhile where all three have been on on the same night. We have been giving them that rope -- sooner or later we may gave to give them fresh linemates or something."  (Herald)

Sooner or later is right.  Try sooner.  Like tonight.  Because in theory, this is a game the AMS should be able to win, even if Bruins had the last week off.  I don't know if Kruise will be back or not, but tonight's good a time as any to try new linemates.  Why not?  Where's the spark Adam had at the beginning of the season??  I mean, they work their butts off for the most part, but like coach said, not all together on the same night or even on the same shift.

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The Winter Olympics start tonight, I'm so excited!!  No lie, I'm more than a little upset I'll be missing the opening ceremonies, but oh well.  The Herald has a nice bit on Shannon Szabados, first female goalie in the WHL (with the Americans) and starting goalie for Canada's women's hockey team.

Ass-pat to Spokant (yet again.  I think she likes me patting her ass) for sending link to an interview from Capitals Sport Report with Mike Brown.  An excerpt: 

・ getting traded to the Tri-City Americans last month

MB: “It has been a good change for me. I talked to the coach and decided that I would like to move on to Tri-City. I'm really happy and I'm honored to put on the Tri-City Americans jersey.”

・ no points since becoming a member of the Americans

MB: “It really hasn't worked for me. But that's not really my main area. I'm more of a role player.”

・ playing in his 150th game on January 31st against the Calgary Hitmen, the team he played in his very first game

MB: “I wasn't even aware of that. That feels good. I've been lucky to stay in this game and stay around for that many games.”

You can read the rest here.