Build on the positives

The outcome wasn't what anyone wanted (except Bruins fans) but there were some positives to take away from last night's game and to build on for tonight:

• Effort.  The games last weekend was almost like listening to the opposition radio feed the way only opposition player names were heard.  Last night, especially the first two periods, heard all Americans.  Did they let up in the 3rd?  Not play a 60-minute effort?  Perhaps, but the questionable officiating didn't help.
• Adam Hughesman and Brooks Macek.  Adam continues on his hard working ways, getting things done offensively.  Gotta hope another goal by Brooks helps take a little pressure off Brooks and makes him feel more comfortable and he can get into a (scoring) groove.
• They outshot the Bruins 42-25, can't complain about that.  Gore is a good goalie when he's on his game, and he was on.  Again, those shot totals don't show how many were quality chances, but it's still a positive aspect to look at.
• Power play went 3-for-8, not great but not bad either.  Yes, I would love to see some scoring 5-on-5, but at this point, we'll take what we can get.
• Penalty kill was decent, but still allowing 2 goals.  Westie said that first PK was the best of the season.  Again, that's a good building block for the future.
• I still really like bullet-point lists.

Bottom line, they played harder.  That's the kind of loss I can deal with, when they actually fight and put in the effort.  And of course, they're going to have to step it up for tonight's game.  Spokane's coming off a shootout loss to Seattle where they outshot the Thunderbirds 49-26.  So they're going to be pissed off and hungry.  And apparently shot-happy.

"We played better than we did last Saturday," said Ams coach Jim Hiller, referencing a 5-0 loss to Spokane. "We generated some offense, so that was encouraging, but to come up short again is disappointing."

"We certainly didn't have a lot of luck in front of their net," Hiller said. "And the officiating was questionable, to be kind. But that's generally the way it works (when you're on a losing streak). The only way to get out of it is to work your way out of it."  (Examiner)

The boys have been working hard in practice all week so now it's our turn to step up as fans.  There's a lot of negativity and finger-pointing going on by a frustrated fan base.  In a way we've been spoiled with the winning of the last couple seasons, people being angry about a losing streak is a testament to the winning environment that Bob Tory's built.  We love our team, we're passionate about the game.  The term "fan" is short for "fanatic" and sometimes it's a fine line between the two.  We pay our hard earned money to have the pleasure of watching this game as entertainment, and we expect to be entertained in the form of wins.

As the winning culture has been built the last several years, attendance at Americans games has improved tremendously.  Ams fans take pride in being loud and proud, as we should.  Opposition teams have mentioned how difficult it can be to play at Toyota Center because of the loudness and passion of the fans.  So let's bring the passion, the noise, the support tonight.  Bring your cowbells, bring your posters.  Heck, here's a poster you can download, print and customize for tonight's game.  Let's show the boys that we are not fair-weather fans, that we love this team and we love this game.  And let's hope for a good outcome, of course.