Game Day vs. Spokane

Wow, what a great game.  It appeared the game plan was to get control of the puck and fire away at Gore (and later Gamble).  The Americans had 51 shots on goal.  FIFTY-ONE.  By period it was 17, 21, 13.  That's hawt.  Especially when they only allowed 20 shots by the Bruins.

The Feser-Holland-Rankin line was on fire and each of them played a part in all 6 goals last night.  Feser had a 4-point night with the hat trick and an assist, Holly also had a 4-point night with a goal and 3 assists.  Connor Rankin (can you believe this kid?) had a 3-point night, one goal and 2 assists.  Toss in Schmidt with a goal and an assist, additionally both he and Yuen were a +5 on the night.

Didn't see Adam Hughesman after about halfway through the 2nd, I'm sure it's some lingering flu that's been going around the team, he didn't look really there when he was on the ice*.  Hopefully he got all rested up and feels better for the big game tonight.

Mason Wilgosh was his usual wrecking-ball self.  God I love the intensity with which he plays.  Balls to the wall.  The kids Moline and Little Mess got some time in, I'm still loving the improvement Moline has shown since the start of the season.  Little Mess is a little spitfire, I like the energy.

Chris Driedger was quite solid, even though he didn't have a lot of work.  He's got a wicked glove hand, that's for sure.  The score and the game plan allowed for backup-to-the-backup Cam Gorchynski to play some minutes in the 3rd, he did well also.  He goes back to his BCHL team this week as they start their playoffs so it was a good move for the Ams to give him some playing time, keep him fresh and alert for his playoff run.

We met Chris Driedger's parents, such wonderful people.  As sister said,"Every time I meet a hockey player's parents, it becomes abundantly clear why they are such kind, disciplined, driven, and yet polite and generous young men."  Truth.  They also really liked the sign sister had (and what's not to like?):

"It's tough to stay in the zone when you are facing five shots a period," Driedger said. "I think all the guys are picking up their defensive game. We are doing better job getting back and there haven't been the odd-man rushes."

"We had three trips in a row at the end of the second," Holland said of his line that includes Feser and Rankin. "We had a breakaway and a 2-on-1 and everything seemed to fall into place. Gore is a tough goalie to score on. If you aren't getting the perfect scenario, you aren't going to score on him. The first little bit, we weren't getting those chances."

For Feser, it was his third career hat trick, and first this season.

"I have to give Holly and Ranks all the credit," Feser said. "They created the first two goals and Little Mess (Marcus Messier) the third."  (Herald)

"We had those four shifts in a row at the end of the second that were under 20 seconds each, and we were just stepping on it," said Holland, who tied the game at 2 by converting a long stretch pass from Tyler Schmidt into a backhanded breakaway goal at 16:48 of the second. "We got breakaways, two-on-ones. Things just fell into place there.

"Gore is a tough goalie to score upon. It's hard to beat him without getting the perfect scenario. You need a play where you can get a pass around him. The first little bit of the game, we couldn't get those chances."

"The coaches made a good point. They emphasized that Feser's pressure caused both goals," Holland said.

"If there was a big moment in the game, that was it right there," Hiller said. "It came right after they scored, and it was a nice finish by Holland."

He enjoyed having the best seat in the house for the No. 2 line's fireworks.

"It was just stupid how good they were playing," Driedger said. (Examiner)

And with that Driedger becomes the most awesomely quotable goalie LOL.  Ferran also reports that Big Mess left the locker room with his arm in a sling and Hiller says he's likely out against Spokane tonight.  :(

With the injuries, the Americans have called up 16-year-old Dylan Fluter from Saskatoon.  In 42 games with the North Battleford Stars he's 11G 19A 30P 45PIM. 

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Brendan Shinnimin is featured on this week's WHL Radio Show, talking about being Player of the Month for January.  You can take a listen here.

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The WHL has issued a statement in regards to the Zack Dailey lawsuit:

"The Western Hockey League and the Everett Silvertips have fulfilled our obligations to Zach Dailey having paid in full the tuition and compulsory fees at the University of Alberta for the current academic year in accordance with the terms of his WHL Standard Player Agreement. The WHL will continue to honour all WHL Standard Player Agreements and the scholarship benefits available to our players. The University of Alberta has classified Zach Dailey as a U.S. resident and as a result international tuition fees have been applied. The WHL has filed an appeal with the University of Alberta on behalf of Zach Dailey regarding this matter and is optimistic this issue will be resolved in the near future. The WHL administers the WHL Scholarships program on behalf of the WHL Member Clubs, including the Everett Silvertips, and has awarded 280 scholarships to graduate players this season and 4,300 scholarships since the program was introduced in 1993. " (Herald Net via Drinnan)

What I take from this is that the league is asking the U of A to not make Dailey  pay international tuition rates and his education would therefore be covered in full with the amount stated in the player agreement.

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The freakin' Chiefs are in town tonight.  They are coming off a 3-2 victory over the Kelowna Rockets last night.  They are still two points up on the Americans (Portland 3 points ahead, still in 1st place).  It's going to be intense.  It's going to be playoff-type atmosphere.  Americans fans need to be louder and prouder than the Chiefs fans that will invariably be there (desecrating the national anthem).  GO AMS!

*Herald is saying he left "with undisclosed injury"