Post-Game and Happy Anniversary

Against Seattle I knew it was going to be a hard-fought game.  The Americans played from behind the whole game, taking it to overtime, then to a shootout.  Great job by who else, Justin Feser and Patrick Holland.  How good have these two been the last couple games?  (we're forgetting Saturday against PG, remember?)

And take a look at Jordan Messier, eh?  He has nine goals on the season, same as Holly which ties him for 2nd in goal-scoring, both behind Adam Hughesman.  When people talk about this team I think Messier is overlooked for some of the "big name" guys, but he's doing the work, getting it done.  He deserves mad credit for that.

There was discussion last night in the liveblog about the defense and penalties (specifically Sam Grist).  Taking a look at the statistics from the awesome and accurate WHL site, leading the D in PIM/game is Tyler Schmidt at 2.20.  Next highest for defensemen is Zachary Yuen averaging 1.47 penalty minutes per game, and Sam is 3rd at 1.38. 

While I'm still looking at the stats sheet, can't help but notice that Spencer Humphries is a -6 while Drydn Dow is a +5 and somehow it's been Dow that's been the odd D-man out when rotating in defensemen--Grist, Guenther when he was here.  Holy crap, Macek is a -8.

Moving on, back to last night.  The normally solid penalty kill was not on track, allowing Seattle to go 3 for 4 on their power play.  Give 'em credit though, all of them, they never gave up.  It could have been so easy to get behind on the scoreboard and think "eff this noise, let's just get this over with and GO HOME" but they didn't.  They kept at it.  Kudos to Hiller and the rest of the coaching staff for pushing them through this road month.  Just one more in Everett on Friday, with today and tomorrow in Tri to recoup.

"No question, it'sbeen a long road on the bus," said Ams coach Jim Hiller. "We managed to keep coming back tonight. We put in a workmanlike effort before coming home."

"We've leaned on Justin a lot without Kruise and Shinny," said Hiller, alluding to injured captain Kruise Reddick and suspended F Brendan Shinnimin. "He got off to a real slow start, and we had him playing defenseman for a while. But the last 6-7 games, he's starting to find his stride. He and Holland were on a line together last year, and they're starting to find that chemistry again." (Examiner)

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In other news, it's my blog's birthday!  I Mean, We Got Guys... officially turns three today.  I can't believe it's been that long.  I started out with a plan to write about hockey, about the Carolina Hurricanes.  I wanted to be a part of Hockey's Ladies of Greatness (HLOG).  Since then, I figured out that writing about the Americans is what I really had a passion about since I love this team.  As a season ticket holder, I had much more to say about the Ams than the 'Canes.  HLOG has essentially gone defunct as all us awesome ladies have lives, our own separate blogs, and work/school/family.  Which is sad, really.  It's a great group of women hockey fans who know and love the game.  I am glad to say I was a part of it, if only for a short while.

This is a great comic on the reality of blogging.  I like to think I have been able to build that relationship.  Hell, I have made some really wonderful friends as a result of the blog.  I have been able to be an occasional contributor on Puck Daddy (I'll pick up the name I just dropped on the way out).  I have met the love of my life because of this blog and my connections with it.  I've been to an NHL press conference and the NHL Draft (hoping for media credentials next year).  I have had the help of my amazing sister (aka The Design Team) coming up with t-shirts that fans can buy, and I have been able to donate a chunk of change to the Tri-Cities Cancer Center Foundation with the sale of breast cancer awareness shirts.  

I have had the opportunity to develop a working relationship with the team as well, huge thanks to Bob Tory and everyone in the front office who let's me do my thing here--and expand as well (more interviews coming soon!) 

But enough about me, it's all about you.  The amazing readers who come to this site everyday.  Without you I wouldn't be here.  Ok, I probably would be, but I wouldn't feel the pressure to put out quality every day.  In other words, without you, this blog would be a whole lot shittier.  

Even after 3 years I'm constantly amazed that people come to this site and read my babbling, opinionated non-sense.  I love the little community that joins in all the liveblogs and those that have joined in from across the continent (looking at you Zack and Gizmo!)  We all share a love for this team, even if we disagree on players/roster moves/who should be my hockey bf/etc.

tl;dr--I'm grateful for each and every single one of you who have helped make this little blogging project of mine so much fun.