Hunger

Desperation.

"We have to go through the tape again, but what is this, 18 times with them?" asked Americans coach Jim Hiller. "We know how they play. It's just a matter of executing and being more desperate.

"It's time for us to be extremely desperate."

"We've had a little bit of experience now and know what it takes," Americans forward Mason Wilgosh said. "We have to get the ball rolling again. Come out hard (today) in the first shift, the first period. We have to let them know we aren't going away. We win (today), it's a whole new series."

"We will welcome him (Schmidt) back with open arms, for sure, but it will take more than him," Hiller said. "We have 19 guys who have to be better." (Herald)

I hope in their day off yesterday they have figured out how to match and actually exceed Spokane's drive.  Willy's quote sounds good, but I want to see it actually happen.  Will over skill.  But throw in some skill too.  I know the Chiefs are going to continue blocking lanes and shutting down the top guys, but those top guys--Shinny, Hughey, Ashton--have to find another gear and make good things happen.  Don't try to be fancy, it's going to take some hard, physical work to get through the Chiefs and get to the net.  

Just once in this series (ok, more than once) I'd like to see the Americans outshoot the Chiefs.  Of course, those should be quality chances, not just random shots on goal.  Granted, random ones go in sometimes too (TWSS), but it's the need for quality chances.  And getting gritty and being down low to get the rebounds and garbage goals.  Chiefs have been able to keep the Ams out in the perimeter, full marks to them for that effort.  Now I'd like to see the Americans do that to the Chiefs.

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In other WHL news, in case you missed it, the Saskatoon Blades got swept by the Kootenay Ice last night in their series.  Like Wazz said, Kootenay's sell-the-farm plan worked out much better for them than for the Blades.  Red Deer finally won a game against Medicine Hat, making that series 3-1.  Rebels were without Ms. Conduct's goalie of the future Darcy Kuemper with what is being called a lower body injury.  Backup Guhle stepped in and did a stellar job.  Another team 3-1 are the Portland Winterhawks.  After being sloppy and undisciplined in game one they've come back strong against the Rockets.

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Drinnan takes a look at concussions and CTE again after PBS' Frontline has aired an episode about youth concussions:

Football High referenced Owen Thomas, a player with the University of Pennsylvania football team. A team captain, Thomas was 21 when he committed suicide in April 2010.

When his brain was examined, researchers were stunned to discover it was in the early stages of CTE.
Why were they so surprised?

Because Thomas had never been diagnosed with a concussion. Not even once.

This discovery was just one more step towards what appears to be an inevitable conclusion.

“Because a young athlete’s brain is still developing,” explains part of the discussion at pbs.org, “the effects of a concussion, or even many smaller hits over a season, can be far more detrimental, compared to head injury in an older player.”  (Taking Note)

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