YAY ANOTHER ROAD GAME!

Americans in Everett tonight.  It's the light at the end of the October Road Month.  It's also Everett's Breast Cancer Awareness game (and auction).  Friend of the blog Su Ring has info over at From the Rink:

Tonight, they hold their annual "Pink the Rink" event. Last year, they sold special pink hockey sticks autographed by players (I bought one signed by Cameron Abney, who's now with the Edmonton Oil Kings). This year, they're selling sticks again, and they're also auctioning off special jerseys worn by players at tonight's game. The jerseys are green and white, with a touch of pink. The auction will also include jerseys autographed by Head Coach Craig Hartsburg, Associate Head Coach Jay Varady (who won a gold medal as part of Team USA's coaching staff at the last World Juniors) and Assistant Coach Chris Hartsburg; plus a jersey signed by the entire team.

Here's how it works: Bids start at $150 each. Fans can place their bids in person during the first and second periods of tonight's game. Winners will be announced during the third period. After the game, they will get the chance to have their picture taken with the player whose jersey they won. The jerseys will then be cleaned, autographed and ready for pickup on Wednesday, November 3rd.

Huzzah for washing smelly jerseys before people take them home!  When I bought one literally off Cole Butterfield's back a couple years ago after the MDA Skills Challenge, it rode home in the trunk because of the smell.  On that note, the Ams should bring back the skills challenge.  Srsly.

Su also notes what the Kootenay Ice are doing for "Growvember" (or Movemember):

The Kootenay Ice are getting a head start on the "playoff beard" look. They'll let their facial hair go wild during the month of November, which is being re-christened "Grow-vember."  The move is a fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society, which is turning the focus on men's health, especially cancers that "occur below the belt." The Ice want male fans to grow their facial hair throughout the month and email their photos. The fan with the best look will win box seats for a Kootenay game in December. Here's the email address: growvember@gmail.com.

The Ice will also raffle off players throughout the month. Winners and five of their friends will get to spend an hour with the player doing whatever they want, within reason. The team says this contest is geared toward younger fans who could invite players to birthday parties, lunch or some other fun event. (The raffle begins tonight!)  (From the Rink)

That's pretty awesome, not gonna lie.  Don't forget I issued a personal challenge to the team yesterday.  Best moustache at the end of November and I'll donate $50 to the Prostate Cancer Foundation in their name.

Anyways, back to the game tonight.  Shinnimin still out, I have no idea about Kruise, Stebner, or Moser.  Guess we'll find out, eh?

"As much as everyone loves to play, you have to practice to get better," Hiller said. "You also get a chance to gain confidence as a player. During a game there is so much on the line, but in practice you can try different things."

"There are a few factors that play into it," Hughesman said of his hot start to the season. "We have a few guys hurt and Shinny (Brendan Shinnimin) is suspended. We aren't at full strength. But that's the strength of our team -- it's hard to shut us all down. They shut down Shinny or Kruise (Reddick, concussion) and Mess or (Justin) Feser is there to score. We will score by committee until we get the rest of the guys back."

"We having been playing a young lineup without Kruise and Shinny," Hiller said. "Many who we didn't predict would play that much. They have doing a good job and that's a good sign for the future.

"We made an example of Hughey from day one," Hiller continued. "When guys were at NHL camps, he was here setting the pace. He has done an outstanding job right through training camp. I'm glad to see him rewarded. From the first day he showed up here, he has been as determined as we've ever seen him and that's reflected in his play on the ice." (Herald)

Scoring by committee is hot.

I got nothing else.  Click the "Read More" to get to the liveblog.