Hey kids, it's game day.

"We know they are a good team," said Americans forward Brooks Macek. "We can't let up in the third when we have the lead. We just have to try and put this behind us, go into Chilliwack and play a good game. It will take a steady effort throughout the lineup."

Tri-City defenseman Jarrett Toll said the Americans need to be more aggressive for 60 minutes, not just the first 40.

"The frustration is there now," Toll said. "We don't want to go to a Game 7. (Today) is the end of the road."

Tri-City coach Jim Hiller was not pleased with his team squandering the lead again, but gave Chilliwack credit for not backing down.
"This is a good series," Hiller said. "We will go up (today) and put out best foot forward."  (Herald)

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Talking with Mr. and Mrs. Spokant the other night at the game, it was mentioned that one of the teams in last years' Memorial Cup had the jersey of a player hanging behind the bench.  We couldn't remember the details, which team, which player, what the circumstances were, etc.  So I did some digging.  The team was the OHL's Windsor Spitfires and the player was Mickey Renaud.  Renaud died of an undetected heart condition.  He had been the Spitfire's captain, and a prospect of the Calgary Flames.  I found this photo of his jersey hanging behind the bench at the Memorial Cup on Regan Bartel's site.

Now we know Neal Prokop didn't die, though it sorta feels like it, the hole his absence has left on this team.  The boys have said they want to play for Neal.  It'd be neat if they could/would hang his jersey behind the bench like that.  Granted, they've probably already left for Chilliwack without his jersey in tow, but still.  And maybe they do have it, like up in the locker room or something.

So win the game boys.  Win it for Neal, win it for yourselves, whatever it takes.  We believe in you.  Liveblog after the jump (don't forget the 5 pm start).