Game Day at Spokane

• In regards to my post the other day about the anthem being 76 seconds, the violinist is allowed to go over because holy crap have you ever heard the National Anthem sound so beautiful?  Srsly.
• Even better than Tri-City’s win Friday, was that Americans’ fans set a new record for donations in the annual fundraiser for the Tri-Cities Cancer Center Foundation. Between the game-worn jersey auction, pink T-shirt sales and other fundraising initiatives, fans raised $22,258.71, a 10.5% increase over last year’s donation. It marked the sixth straight year that the Foundation as seen an increase in donations. Combined, Americans fans have raised $92,813 in the six-year history of the event. (Americans)
• Behbehs Nickles and Fluter looked good, Fluter Flakes getting an assist on Rankin's second goal.
• And how about that Connor Rankin?  Holy hell I love watching this kid.
• Shinnimin had a 4-point night with one goal and 3 assists.
• Forty-one shots on goal.  FORTY ONE.  Nice.
• Driedger looked solid.  Beyond solid.  A really outstanding performance.
• Sam Grist didn't suck, especially in that fight with Doty.

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"Coming down the stretch, it was absolutely huge to get these points," said Brendan Shinnimin, who had a goal and three assists. "It has been a struggle lately with guys hurt that play key minutes. Tonight we got the bounces and we have to carry that over until tomorrow."

"I thought we were a step behind all night," said Seattle coach Rob Sumner. "We got outnumbered a few times and got beat down low. You do those things against this team, it makes it easy for them to win."

"Ash (Carter Ashton) made a great pass," Shinnimin said. "I got hauled down, but it went in before that. It feels great (to score). Jim sat down with our line (Ashton and Adam Hughesman) before the game. We were more relaxed and believed in each other. Hopefully we are back on the right track."

"I thought in the first we were snake-bit again," Hiller said. "Sooner or later, it had to go in."

"Not only were our fans disappointed, we our team was disappointed," said Rankin of the losing streak. "Scoring five tonight helps our confidence. Hopefully we can keep it going this weekend. I'd never played on pink ice before -- that was fun -- and helping out in the community is rewarding." (Herald)

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Tonight the boys are back in Spokane to take on the Chiefs.  Spokane is on a roll, beating Prince George 8-0 last night.  Whooboy.  So another big game, here's hoping my banged up team can put out a good effort.  Heh, I just said put out.  The girls will be here and we'll be liveblogging the game as usual (providing my internet can handle all of us connected).  Click on the "Read More" to join in.