Game Day vs. Spokane

The injury bug is taking a chunk out of the Tri-City Americans. F Mason Wilgosh, F Malte Stromwall, F Tyson Dallman (knee), F Marcus Messier and F Jesse Mychan (thumb) all are injured. Mychan, who was hurt on Tuesday, is to have surgery on Monday to repair a broken thumb. Dallman was injured during a 5-1 loss in Kamloops on Feb. 8 and could miss up to six weeks. . . . You wonder if the Americans aren’t into survivor mode, where they are more concerned about getting healthy than they are about where they finish in the standings.  (Taking Note)

Survivor mode is pretty accurate.  That said they played well, they had 53(!!) shots on Calvin Pickard.  If they weren't so tired, I can only imagine what the shot total would have been.  They looked tired, but still managed to skate well, certainly better than Seattle.  I hope they have enough gas in the tank for tonight's matchup.

"It was the best game of the year for Connor," Hiller said.

"We wanted to make sure we redeemed ourselves from the (Portland) game," Hiller said. "It's all how you respond. We were good from the drop of the puck." (Herald)

I agree with Coach.  Connor played very very well.  His sophomore year hasn't been a slump by any  means, but hasn't quite elevated the way I'd hoped.  Don't get me wrong, he's had a good season, but I had hoped for more than 16 goals--but maybe now he'll light up the rest of the season.  

Comrie played well also, he faced 38 shots, tied for the most shots in a game (the other was against Red Deer).  I think it was the first Seattle goal that was a stinker, but otherwise he was quite good.  Several highlight reel saves.  A Colorado Avalanche fan friend of mine was watching the game, tuned in late to watch Calvin and saw the Seattle goal(s).  He said it was an awful GA for Comrie, to which I agreed but also let him know that Eric is only 16 which he didn't know and was then more understandable, especially considering the other saves Comrie made. 

Anyone paying more attention that me notice if Lukas Walter played a shift last night?  More than one?  Just curious.

So the Chiefs are in town tonight, they are coming off a 3-4 loss to Kootenay last night. Just gotta keep surviving, no more injuries.

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In news of former Americans, Puck Daddy reports that Aaron Boogaard punched a photographer during a game last night.

On Friday night, Boogaard again defended the honor of his teammates — only instead of an opposing player, his target was a photographer in a game against the Texas Brahmas.

Robert Keith runs Texas Brahmas Insider, a website that has covered the CHL team since 2008, including his own photo coverage. He was stationed between the benches on Friday night, and spent the game jawing with Bees forward Brady Leavold.

According to Brian Sandalow of The Monitor, Leavold "put his stick in front of Keith's lens to block his view" during the third period. Keith grabbed the stick; Boogaard saw this and then punched Keith on the top of his head twice, leading to a game misconduct.  (Puck Daddy)

One of the best responses (and relevant, at least to me):

I'm rather chagrined to read about Keith chirping Leavold during the game, because I don't think you should do that if you're there in a media role, which I consider a photographer between the benches taking pictures for a blog. I've covered games from behind the bench and inside the penalty box before, but never initiated any conversation with players or coaches. I was just there to observe, not participate.

That being said, there is no defense for what Boogaard allegedly did. The CHL must deal with him swiftly, and severely. You can't allow behavior like that in your league.  (Corpus Christi Caller-Times)