Let's start off with some good and heartwarming news. I received the same email Annie Fowler did, but instead of being near a computer, I was at the car dealership getting repairs done. Yay no smartphone! Anyways, if you didn't love Adam Hughesman enough already, take a gander at this: 

I just wanted to take the time to send a quick message to the American’s organization about one of your players, Adam Hughesman.

First, I want to let you know that I’m a Chilliwack Bruins seasons ticket holder and my son and I had the opportunity to watch the Bruins/Americans game on Sunday Feb. 13th in Chilliwack. My son Nolan is only 3 years old but is quite the hockey fan. During the 2nd period of this game, Nolan decided to go and sit behind your team bench as this would give him the opportunity to high five the players as they leave the ice after the period. On their return for the 3rd period, the players all touched his hand. To top it off, the Asst. Coach, came over and gave him a piece of his gum. A small gesture on his part but if you could only have seen the smile on his face.

After the game, all players made sure they gave him high five’s again. As luck would have it, Adam Hughesman was selected as one of the three stars and actually took the time to come over and talk to my son. Nolan was in complete awe of Adam. There was no reason for Adam to do this as Nolan was wearing his Bruins jersey and hat but it just shows the character of this young man to do this. He probably has no idea the affect he has had on my son. So now, even though his favourite team continues to be the Bruins, the Americans are a very close second. And, I’m sure it goes without saying, but Adam Hughesman is far and away his favourite player.

I’m hoping that you can help me out with a special request. Do you sell photos of your players? Or even better, do you sell autographed photos? I would love to purchase one of Adam for my son. Please let me know when you get a chance.

Good luck to the Americans going into the playoffs. You can now count on a couple more fans up here in the Fraser valley.

Brent Janzen

Doesn't that just warm the cockles of your cold heart? It does mine. And yes, I said cockles.
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When I was a kid, we had a pool in our backyard. Nothing fancy, not in-ground or anything, just one of those 3-foot-deep ones with the yellow metal side and the neon-ish blue liner. We spent a lot of hours in that pool and I have a lot of memories of it. But I'll spare you, except for one.

One thing I liked to do as a kid was float around that pool on an air mattress. It seemed, to my stupid young brain, the coolest to think I was all posh, lapping in luxury and soaking up the rays. But it was never that luxurious. Inevitably the air mattress would get a hole in it and instead of basking in the sun, I would find myself sinking, ever so slowly, into the water.

Where am I possibly going with this? I'll tell you. These last 3 games against the Chiefs remind me of that old air mattress. One tiny puncture and it became totally deflated, usually as a slow leak. Sure, you could try to blow it up again, but it was just a matter of time before you found yourself sinking again. That's what these games have been like. A small puncture--getting down by a goal or two--and all the sudden there's no life. Certainly, there's guys trying as hard as they can to pump air--life--back in, but still sinking, still looking, and playing, deflated.

I remember when Nachbaur coached here, he would always say that they won because they believed they could win. Where is that belief now? Oh, it's on Nachbaur's team. Full props to them for outplaying, out hustling, out everything-ing the Americans yet again.

Assistant Coach Bilodeau said on the post-game show that they were struggling through some adversity with injuries and rough schedule but that he'd rather this be happening now than in playoffs. Which I buy, but the ship needs to get righted (oh God more metaphors) or the playoffs aren't going to last long. I sound like a broken record.

The first period was very physical and the Ams held the advantage in shots with 19 in that first 20 minutes. Then the Chiefs closed the doors and only allowed 10 shots the rest of the game. Both teams were blocking shots like crazy, I haven't seen the Ams block that many in a long time, sacrificing the body to make the block. That's one bit of the game I was impressed with.

I was also impressed with Brock Sutherland, I thought he had an outstanding game all things considered. He was skating, he was physical, he was playing smart. Not that MacKenzie wasn't deserving, but I thought Brock should have gotten one of the 3 star awards. But they don't ask me, sadly.

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"I thought we had plenty of chances in the first half of the game to get a handful (of goals)," said Tri-City coach Jim Hiller. "Right now, we just aren't getting those chance to go our way. We have to stay positive. We are an outstanding team, and rough patches come along. We'll be back."

"It doesn't taste good," Tri-City captain Kruise Reddick said of the back-to-back losses to the Chiefs. "We can't expect things to come to us, we have to work for them. You have to grit your teeth and work harder. We just have to forget about this and come out back (today against Everett) and get two points."

"I thought the third goal for them was clearly a turning point," Hiller said. "Schmitty (Tyler Schmidt) had just missed a power play opportunity at the other end -- that hurt." (Herald)

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"They'll come back. The bounces don't go away forever. Sometimes, they hide for a while, but they'll be back."

Hiller knows during a 72-game season, a team is going to experience highs and lows -- especially when two of its top three goal scorers (Adam Hughesman and Jordan Messier) and its No. 1 goalie (Drew Owsley) are nursing injuries.

"We went through this in November, too," Hiller said, referring to the team's five-game losing streak to open that month. "We have to remain positive and understand we're an outstanding team. We've played a solid season so far. The rough patches will come along. We've just got to get through to the other side." (Examiner)

I applaud Coach's optimistic attitude, but just like 10 shots on goal in 2 periods, optimism is only going to get you so far.

So back at it again tonight when the Everett Silvertips are in town.  It will be yet another physical, hard-fought game because even though Everett's near the bottom of the standings, they make teams work.  Hope it goes better for the Ams tonight, that's for sure.

P.S.  Maybe next time, Spokane fans, you can come to our rink and NOT physically assault our mascot.  You'll be lucky if he (she?) doesn't press charges--I sure as hell would.  Stay classy.