Game Day vs Seattle

Oh hey, look at that, it's game day!

The boys had a busy week of practice, it's not quite time for vacation yet.  Also this week there was the Booster Club Christmas party, which was a lot of fun, I hear Santa kicked ass.  Although, who has ever heard of kids NOT sitting on Santa's lap??  Santa's a professional, it's not like there would be any grab-ass going on.

Also this week the boys made their annual holiday calls to season ticket holders to thank them for their support.  Oddly enough, my call came from Tim Gleason of the Carolina Hurricanes, even though "Tri-City Americans" came up on the caller ID.  If Tim Gleason had been smart, he would have had Drayson Bowman call me.

Speaking of Drayson Bowman, the kid had two goals last night against the Canucks.  He's getting a load of playing time with Jeff Skinner out.  Kudos to new coach Kirk Muller for seeing the kid has potential but shouldn't be rotting away on the 4th line.  Hopefully it's enough to keep him in the NHL for awhile, not that I want Skinner out that long.  Here's Mr. Sexytime getting robbed of the hat trick by a sweet glove save by Cory Schneider (via Reuters images):

Bowman said in the post-game interview, and I'm paraphrasing here, he got to play the type of game he's used to playing in his career, where he's counted on for big minutes and big plays.

Ok, back to the Americans.

"These games are huge," Wilgosh said. "It's tough to play these games when you are going home in a few days, but these are points we need. You can't lose them because you lose focus."

A couple of wins by the Americans this weekend would give them their best mark in franchise history at the holiday break. Tri-City was 26-9-0-0 (52 points) in 2009-10.

"It's great going into the break in first place," said goalie Ty Rimmer, who played for Brandon and Prince George last season. "We still have two games this weekend, and Seattle plays us tough. We are looking forward to the test."  (Herald)

Gotta stay focused not only to get through the weekend games to vacation, but also can't rest on their laurels knowing their in 2nd in the CHL BMO Top Ten Rankings.  That's pretty hawt.