Game Day at Chilliwack

The last time the Tri-City Americans lost four games in a row, they wound up winning the Scotty Munro trophy at the end of the 2007-08 season for the best record in the Western Hockey League.

There is no magic formula to predict if that will happen again, and team captain Kruise Reddick said there is no need to panic at this point of the season -- there are 52 games left to play.

"I think we are going through some adversity right now," said Reddick, who missed eight games with a concussion earlier this season. "We aren't scoring and we aren't playing to our ability. It's not time to press the panic button. It's time to reflect on the positive things, grit our teeth and make things happen."

"It's nice when you are playing every three nights and keeping in game form," Reddick said, "but it's also nice to have this much practice time to work out the kinks. The fans might be concerned; they want to see us do well. We are going to turn this around."

"We are trying to keep things positive and relaxed," said Tri-City starting goalie Drew Owsley. "We have a good bunch of guys, we just need to execute better. The bounces aren't going our way and guys are gripping the sticks too tight. We just need that win to get us out of this."

Owsley sought help from one of the best in the business Wednesday, working with former NHL goalie and Americans owner Olie Kolzig.

"Any time Olie can come out and help me, I appreciate it," Owsley said. "He's been through it all and I'm struggling a bit. He's helped me tune things up a bit and he's given me some advice." (Herald)

Sounds like the boys are thinking positive and working on the small things in practice.  Having Olie come in and help Drew is awesome, and the power skating gal, Vanessa Hettinger has been working with the boys this week too.  Like I said the other day, I don't believe Bob Tory is an excuses kind of guy, he's going to be proactive.  How lucky are these kids to have Olie Kolzig coming in to help them?  Yes, Drew's been struggling and I'm sure that's gotten to him mentally and Olie's been there, he can help Owsley with the mental part of his game as well as the technical aspects.

Drew and Olie in practice

Power skating coach Vanessa Hettinger with Marcus Messier, Zachary Yuen, Max Moline, Connor Rankin, Zack McPhee, Spencer Humphries, Tanner Olstad, and goalie Chris Dreidger.  Both photos from the Americans Facebook page.

So they're in Chilliwack tonight, and just like many other teams they've faced recently, the Bruins are not the team they used to be.  They finally have some talent on their roster and they've got a successful coach in Marc Habsheid.  They're riding a 10-8-2 record, putting them at 4th in the BC Division, but a better win % than the 2nd place Prince George Cougars.

It's a later start, 7:30 so the liveblog will kick off around 7:15.  Click on the "Read More" to join in the fun.