Game Day vs. Vancouver

The Vancouver Giants roll into the Toyota Center tonight for the last home game before the Christmas break. They've been on a roll, going 7-3 in their last 10 games.  The lines are clicking, the forwards are doing more backchecking, the defense is coming together solidly.

Tri-City coach Jim Hiller said the recent string of victories has resulted from a combination of a lot of little things, but noted the ones that have really stood out.

"Part of it has been getting Shinny (Brendan Shinnimin) and Kruise (Reddick) back in a regular rotation," said Hiller of Shinnimin serving a 12-game suspension and Reddick missing several games because of a concussion. "Ows (goalie Drew Owsley) had been playing well, and we've won a couple of big games, and that has given us confidence."

Additionally, they've had the addition of Paul Sohor on the blueline:

"When the overage thing unfolded, the bigger picture was to acquire a defenseman," Tory said. "It was a good fit. He knows a number of guys, and we felt it wouldn't affect the chemistry of the team.

"Zak was bigger and more experienced, but Paul has a little sandpaper to his game, which we can use a bit more of. If we wouldn't have been able to get Paul, we would have had to keep Zak."

"Everett developed me real well," Sohor said, "but I think a change in scenery was in order. Coming here was a real bonus. It's nice to get a reunion with the guys I've known my whole life and get to know the new faces. We have good chemistry out there.

"I was super relieved and happy to come to a winning organization and a team that wants to win. I like playing with these guys more than I liked playing against them." (Herald)

----------

Speaking of Sohor, Rene Ferran had a little chat with him this week for part of his "Meet the Americans":

He described himself this way: "I'm a guy who'll chip in on the scoreboard when I can, but my first job is defense. I love blocking shots, killing penalties, going into the corners, all the rough stuff. At 6-1, I'm a bigger guy, and I like to throw my body around."

Favorite sports movie "Miracle." "It's so inspiring, even though it's American and I'm Canadian. The bag skate? We can all relate to that, that's for sure. In Everett, we once skated a solid 45 minutes straight." (Examiner)

----------

Also in the "Meet the Americans" this week, Ferran talked to the newest American, Carter Ashton who is currently with Team Canada for the upcoming World Junior Championships.

"I enjoyed my time in Regina, but I'm looking forward to a long playoff run with Tri-City," Ashton said. "I'm ready to do the little things ... take pucks to the net, use my size (6-foot-3, 200 pounds) and speed."

What he wants to be when he grows up Following in his father's footsteps. "Hopefully, I can be a hockey player for a long time. That's my main goal right now."  (Examiner)

----------

The World Juniors are in Buffalo, New York December 26-January 5.   I was very surprised Team Canada did not keep Seattle Thunderbirds goalie Calvin Pickard.  I know Oliver Roy is good, I've not heard of the backup Mark Visentin, but have to assume he's pretty decent.  I do know Pickard is lights-out outstanding.  And he was sorely missed this past weekend when the T-birds faced the high-shooting Spokane Chiefs.  Anyways, back to Ashton:

"Anytime you get to represent your country, it's an honor," Ashton said. "It's going to be exciting."

"We are very proud of Carter's accomplishment and wish him all the best in pursuit of gold," said Ams GM Bob Tory in a text message. "We will welcome him to Tri-City in early January."

Ams coach Jim Hiller said in a text: "It's a great accomplishment. I'm sure the experience will make him a better player." (Examiner)

Backup goalie Chris Driedger will also be getting some tournament play as he's off to the Under-17 tournament over the holiday break:

Driedger does figure to get plenty of work over the Christmas break when he'll play for Team West at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in his native Winnipeg, Manitoba.

"I'm sure he's looking forward to that, and we are too," Hiller said. "We want to see him take over in net."  (Examiner)

----------

New acquisitions Tyson Dallman and Brennen Bosovich talk about their time in Tri-Cities last week (ass-pat to commenter Lori for the link)

“They battle a lot harder than some of the guys here, but that comes with age, there are 20-year-old guys playing there and they’ve got full beards and stuff,” said Dallman, sporting a thin goatee on his chin. 

“As far as we know, we’re probably going to go there and have a good chance to make the team,” he continued, pointing out the Americans just traded a pair of their young players to the Regina Pats for Carter Ashton. “Hopefully, that opens up some spots for us.”  (Prince Albert Daily Herald)

----------

Need to get some Christmas cheer?  Here's the rookies singing a lovely Christmas carol at the Booster Club Christmas Party.  Good times.

----------
That's all I got.  Unless something magical comes along between now and later.  It's been a slow news week for the Americans for the most part.  Obviously, there will also not be a lot of posting during the Christmas break, though I do have to give out Christmas presents and mid-term grades at some point.