Game day at Portland

The win gives Owsley 38 for his career, surpassing Kolzig (37), the team's owner and former NHL star, to move into sixth place on the Americans' career list.

"It's pretty cool to pass a guy like him," said Owsley, who won his league-leading 31st game. "It's an honor to be mentioned with him."

Drew had a terrific game, I think both of the T-Birds goals are ones he'd like back (but aren't they all, really?).  He looked confident and stood tall--well, as tall as the kid can stand.  And speaking of kids who had a great game, that Jordan Messier is awesome.  Terry Virtue was on the post-game show with Westy and said that Jordan (and Brooks too) need to play like that more, go to the net hard and shoot more.

"We weren't great, but we had enough guys who were good and carried the load," said Tri-City coach Jim Hiller. "Give Seattle credit, they played us really well. We were in the penalty box too much tonight and that gave them momentum."

Oh let's not talk about the penalties.  How does Thiessen still have a job in this league?  You know it's not a good night for the ref when Jarrett Toll, the peaceful warrior, is in the box 3 times in one night.  I know it's not much use complaining about the reffing in this league, so I won't.  I leave that to the people who sit near me and all they do (it seems) is bitch about the reffing.  Oh well.

"Killing that 5-on-3 was the key to the game," Hiller said."

Yes.  Seattle was like a dog on a bone all night (DRINK!  It's a Westy-ism) clogging up the neutral zone, not allowing a lot of space.  It's what they do best.

Americans forward Kruise Reddick left the game in the first period after taking a puck to the foot and did not return. He had X-rays after the game. His status for tonight is unknown.  (Herald)

Is it good or bad that I didn't even notice Kruise was gone till towards the end of the 3rd period?  Ooof.  And I evidently missed him taking a puck off the foot.  Problem with having to photograph the game is missing stuff that actually happens because my eye is behind the lens.  Just gotta hope Pokey's ok.

It was nice to see Moser out there, even though it was only for maybe 3 shifts.  I don't believe that's any more or any less than what Mike Brown or even Todd Kennedy would have gotten.  Drydn Dow didn't log a ton of time, but played well when he was in.

Tonight the boys are in the City of Roses to take on those pesky Winterhawks.  So far this season the AMS have had their number, I just hope there's not a level of complacency in thinking they'll just get handed another win in Portland.  There's some passion missing that I hope gets in place before playoffs.  Virtue on post-game show said that now the 'Hawks have Luca Sbisa, they have a bit different game because of the skill set that he provides, especially on the power play with hard shots up high.  Like Seattle, they play hard and don't give a lot of room, especially in the small rink of the Memorial Coliseum.  

Liveblog after the jump, come on in and say hi.