Save the Hooters!
Tonight is the Breast Cancer Awareness night:
Over the last five years, the Americans have helped raise $70,554. The first year, the event brought in $2,825. Last year, that number hit $20,150.
Tonight, the ice will be pink, the Tri-City players will wear commemorative pink jerseys, and there will be pink T-shirt sales and silent auctions around the arena. The jerseys will be auctioned off during the game. All proceeds will benefit the Tri-Cities Cancer Center Foundation.
"It's obviously a special night," said Tri-City goaltender Drew Owsley, who is on the mend after suffering a knee injury two weeks ago. "A lot of people are affected by breast cancer and other cancers. It's nice to give back."
As for how the team is faring right now:
"Every team goes through this," Tri-City forward Carter Ashton said. "No team is perfect. We have to stick with it and turn it around this weekend."
"Our division is really tough," Ashton said. "Everyone is a contender. Portland and Spokane are tough. To have Seattle beat Spokane helps us, but we have to worry about ourselves."
"The parity is unbelievable," Tory said. "It's not just the top three teams, but Vancouver, Kelowna and Everett have proven they can win on any given night."
The Americans, who already have Owsley and forwards Jordan Messier (shoulder) and Neal Prokop (leg) on the injured list, had forward Mason Wilgosh (knee) join them after Tuesday's game against Everett. (Herald)
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO not Willy too!!! Gomdammit.
Meanwhile, Buzzing the Net reports what we fans have already known--it's tough being a goalie in the US Division. The latest casualty is Portland's Mac Carruth who came way out of his net to play the puck and was laid out by former American and current Prince George Cougar Spencer Asuchack. Spencer should really work on not getting suspended. Here's how it looked:
From Buzzing the Net:
Carruth left the game with a concussion, and didn't play in Wednesday's rematch, which Portland won 6-5. He's listed as day-to-day. Keith Hamilton, who started the first six games of the season, picked up the win in Wednesday's game. Hamilton's .916 save percentage in 18 games this season is actually slightly higher than Carruth's (.914).
Spokane's overage starter James Reid returned to action on Wednesday for the first time since Jan. 23, but got lit up for five goals on 24 shots in an ugly 5-1 home loss to last-place Seattle.
Tri-City's Drew Owsley hasn't played since suffering a knee injury on Feb. 12.
The Chiefs weathered the storm without Reid fairly well. Rookie Mac Engel, 17, started 13 games in a row and played well. He's allowed a total of 11 goals in his last seven starts, and has a 2.10 GAA and .922 save percentage in February. The Chiefs went 9-4 during Reid's absence.
Things haven't gone quite as smoothly for Tri-City Chris Driedger, who's 2-2-1 since replacing Owsley. The 16-year-old played well in a pair of wins over struggling Chilliwack, but gave up 10 goals on 52 shots in consecutive home losses to Spokane. (BTN)
Sepich also states in that article that the Americans expect Owsley back as soon as this weekend, but in the Herald is says the team has brought in Chase Martin from the BCHL to back up Driedger.
Speaking of US Division goalies, Calvin Pickard and his Thunderbirds are in town tonight for the big game. Should be a good one, T-Birds coming off Wednesday's 5-1 win over the Chiefs. I know, I LOL'd too. Seattle's had their share of problems this year but they can be hard-working and quite physical. It's the start of 3-in-3 this weekend, all against physical teams. My boys are already banged up so quite honestly, I'll take whatever points they can get.
Can't blame the recent skid solely on injuries, though that's a huge part of it, but the offense has been...well...impotent. They're getting shots that count as shots on goal, but hitting pipes and whatnot for zero puck luck. As with any game against Pickard, the key is getting a gazillion quality shots on him and hope that something goes in.
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