Stay-Puft
02-16-2007, 01:54 PM
http://www.sportstricities.com/sportstc/hockey/americans/story/8645170p-8536929c.html
This story was published Friday, February 16th, 2007
By Annie Fowler, Herald staff writer
You'll have to forgive the Tri-City Americans for wanting a full house tonight when the Kootenay Ice visit Toyota Center.
Sure, the Americans love to play in front of a big crowd, but their motivation for wanting more than 5,000 fans is to help promote breast cancer awareness.
The Americans will donate a portion of tonight's ticket sales to the Tri-Cities Cancer Center, and the proceeds from the players' pink jersey auction and the sale of pink T-shirts also will benefit the Cancer Center.
"It's a great cause," said Tri-City coach Don Nachbaur, whose team will skate on pink ice again tonight after Wednesday's 5-2 win over Vancouver.
"I think a lot of people have been touched by someone with breast cancer. Too close for many of us. I hope they fill they place. It's fun to play in front of a packed house, and we'd like to raise money for a good cause."
Tri-Cities (35-19-1-1, 72 points) is second in the U.S. Division and have won seven straight on home ice. But the Americans have not had much success against the Ice (40-13-3-3) this season, having lost the first three games of the four-game series by a combined score of 11-5.
"They have lost 13 and won 40," Nachbaur said of Kootenay. "They are a good team. We know they are solid in so many areas -- good defense, snipers up front and good goaltending."
The Americans again will be without leading scorer Colton Yellow Horn, out at least through the weekend with an ankle injury. Also out are defensemen Matt Swaby (rib), Eric Mestery (shoulder), T.J. Fast (arm), Jarrett Toll (jaw) and Tyler Schmidt, who is serving the final game of a Western Hockey League two-game suspension.
"We have had a lot of adversity this season and we've always found a way to get the job done," Nachbaur said. "I'm proud of these guys."
Tri-City general manager Bob Tory brought in affiliate player Mitch McColm to help out on the blue line and the rookie held his own in the Americans' win over Vancouver.
McColm will be with the team through Saturday's game in Portland, then will return to the Drayton Valley Thunder of the AJHL.
"Mitch filled in really nice for us," Nachbaur said.
After Wednesday's game, the Americans showed they can be successful despite the many challenges thrown their way.
"We just have to keep taking it one game at a time," said team captain Alex Aldred. "Kootenay is ranked No. 4 in the CHL and they are a patient team. They feed off your mistakes and they limit your chances. We need everyone to contribute."
Notes: The Americans signed Johnny Lazo, 17, to a player's contract for the 2007-08 season. The 5-foot-7, 165-pound center plays for the Winnipeg Thrashers AAA midget team, and has 32 goals and 71 points in 39 games. Lazo, along with 2006 second-round bantam draft pick Adam Hughesman, will join the Americans on their Eastern road swing next week. ... Spokane LW J.P. Szaskiewicz will miss up to three weeks after having his appendix removed Wednesday.
This story was published Friday, February 16th, 2007
By Annie Fowler, Herald staff writer
You'll have to forgive the Tri-City Americans for wanting a full house tonight when the Kootenay Ice visit Toyota Center.
Sure, the Americans love to play in front of a big crowd, but their motivation for wanting more than 5,000 fans is to help promote breast cancer awareness.
The Americans will donate a portion of tonight's ticket sales to the Tri-Cities Cancer Center, and the proceeds from the players' pink jersey auction and the sale of pink T-shirts also will benefit the Cancer Center.
"It's a great cause," said Tri-City coach Don Nachbaur, whose team will skate on pink ice again tonight after Wednesday's 5-2 win over Vancouver.
"I think a lot of people have been touched by someone with breast cancer. Too close for many of us. I hope they fill they place. It's fun to play in front of a packed house, and we'd like to raise money for a good cause."
Tri-Cities (35-19-1-1, 72 points) is second in the U.S. Division and have won seven straight on home ice. But the Americans have not had much success against the Ice (40-13-3-3) this season, having lost the first three games of the four-game series by a combined score of 11-5.
"They have lost 13 and won 40," Nachbaur said of Kootenay. "They are a good team. We know they are solid in so many areas -- good defense, snipers up front and good goaltending."
The Americans again will be without leading scorer Colton Yellow Horn, out at least through the weekend with an ankle injury. Also out are defensemen Matt Swaby (rib), Eric Mestery (shoulder), T.J. Fast (arm), Jarrett Toll (jaw) and Tyler Schmidt, who is serving the final game of a Western Hockey League two-game suspension.
"We have had a lot of adversity this season and we've always found a way to get the job done," Nachbaur said. "I'm proud of these guys."
Tri-City general manager Bob Tory brought in affiliate player Mitch McColm to help out on the blue line and the rookie held his own in the Americans' win over Vancouver.
McColm will be with the team through Saturday's game in Portland, then will return to the Drayton Valley Thunder of the AJHL.
"Mitch filled in really nice for us," Nachbaur said.
After Wednesday's game, the Americans showed they can be successful despite the many challenges thrown their way.
"We just have to keep taking it one game at a time," said team captain Alex Aldred. "Kootenay is ranked No. 4 in the CHL and they are a patient team. They feed off your mistakes and they limit your chances. We need everyone to contribute."
Notes: The Americans signed Johnny Lazo, 17, to a player's contract for the 2007-08 season. The 5-foot-7, 165-pound center plays for the Winnipeg Thrashers AAA midget team, and has 32 goals and 71 points in 39 games. Lazo, along with 2006 second-round bantam draft pick Adam Hughesman, will join the Americans on their Eastern road swing next week. ... Spokane LW J.P. Szaskiewicz will miss up to three weeks after having his appendix removed Wednesday.