Game Day vs Portland

SWX caught up with some of the boys to talk about Movember:

Each November, thousands of men grow out facial hair to support men's health issues. It's called Movember. The Tri-City Americans are taking part. Hockey players are known for mullets and facial hair and the Americans are no different. Despite many being just teenagers, many Ams players are celebrating Movember in style.

"I got kind of a hybrid going. I think I got a little bit of handlebars down here, a little bit of a goatee. I think it's a lot better than last year for me because I didn't have the connectors going," said Jordan Messier, Americans forward.

A quick look around the team shows many Ams players are taking part. Styles range from the Fu Manchu look, to the neat trimmed moustache to the all-out goatee. So whose facial hair is most impressive?

"Other than myself probably Mason yeah," said Mitch Topping, Americans defenseman.

"I'd say myself but I mean Wilgosh is pretty solid," said Nate MacMaster, Americans left wing.

How does Mason Wilgosh feel about not only being team captain but having the best facial hair on the team?

"I feel good about it you know, I think maybe they go together really good but I don't know. It is nice to have the moustache along with the captain too," Wilgosh said.

But not all Ams players are as successful.

"Connor Rankin's is pretty bad. Eric Comrie too is just greasy," Topping said.

Maybe those struggling to grow it out will have to wait a few more years. (SWX)

I pick my favorite facial hair on Saturday, it's going to be a tough call, there's some greasy 'staches on those boys.

There are boys who have refrained from the Movember facial hair business, one being Malte Stromwall.  I'll be damned if he's not the cutest thing ever.  Aw hell, I'm pretty sure I'm damned for saying he's the cutest thing ever.  Anywhoooooo.... he's been struggling a lot with the North American game, learning how to be a better all-around player, not just a super sniper.  As a result, his confidence has been dragging so friend of the blog, Aeris, came up with a great sign:

It says "I believe in Malte" in Swedish.  And look at all the glitter!!  It's a work of art.  Hopefully he starts feeling better about his game, I think that sick goal the other night against Kamloops sure helps too.

Portland is in town tonight.  I sure do not like them.

"We started out with three of our first seven games against them," Tri-City coach Jim Hiller said. "Both teams have been playing better since then. It's good to get them back in our building again."

The Americans (16-6-0-0) and Winterhawks lead the U.S. Division and Western Conference with 32 points, though Tri-City has three games in hand. The Winterhawks (15-8-1-1) are coming off a 5-2 win over Regina on Tuesday.

"The last couple of years, they have given us the most trouble," said Winter-hawks coach Mike Johnston, whose team is 0-3 against Tri-City this season. "They are a good hockey team, they play well and they play well at home. Those are big factors."

The teams haven't played each other since Adam Hughesman had a hat trick and Ty Rimmer shut out the Winterhawks on Oct. 9, which doesn't seem that long ago -- but the Americans have played 15 games against 12 different teams in that time span.

"They are all big games," Hiller said. "It makes both teams better. You have to be focused because the quality of the competition is that good. The Kamloops game (a 3-2 win on Saturday) was a high-intensity game and it was physical. Portland is strong and they have some big guys. They are very similar."  (Herald)

I make no promises of any kind of post-game analysis tomorrow, I have a couple birds to cook, including a bacon-wrapped turkey.  Srsly.  Be jealous that you won't be at my house.  I'll have family in town the rest of the weekend so I don't know how much new content will be going on around here.  I hope everyone has a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving.  And remember to give thanks for all the blessings in your life, that's what it's really all about (not the bacon-wrapped turkey).