Tipped Off
12-29-2005, 11:09 AM
Silvertips go back to work
Everett begins second half of WHL season
By Nick Patterson
Herald Writer
EVERETT - Rested and recharged, the Everett Silvertips are ready to get back to work.
Having had 10 days off, the Silvertips return to the ice for the second half of the Western Hockey League season tonight, playing host to the Tri-City Americans at the Everett Events Center.
"It's always nice to get back to playing," Everett left wing John Lammers said. "Watching some hockey games back home you almost want to be right back out there right away. But it's always good to get a break, too."
Everett rode the roller coaster during the first half of the season. Everett had the longest winning streak in franchise history (eight games) in the process of winning 11 of 12 and taking control of the U.S. Division. However, a rash of injuries led to a franchise-worst seven-game losing streak as the Tips had their division lead evaporate into nothingness. But Everett recovered late, winning seven of its final nine heading into the Christmas break.
The net result was Everett (21-14-1-0) found itself at the halfway point in first place in the division, leading second-place Portland by 10 points - though Portland had four games in hand.
Because of the tumultuous first half, it's difficult to get a grasp on exactly how good the Silvertips are as they head into the second half.
"We're looking to try and put the first half behind us," Everett coach Kevin Constantine said. "There were highs and lows and a little bit of a roller coaster ride early on. We want to take lessons from that experience and set goals for the future. But really we try to focus on - not to be cliche - a shift-to-shift, period-to-period, game-top-game basis and not worry too much about what's happened or what's in front of us. I think the future will take care of itself if we just work hard every day."
Given Everett's position in first place in the division, despite the injuries and the losing streak that marred the first half, the Tips like their chances heading into the second half.
"I think we've got a really good team," Everett goaltender Leland Irving said. "We've got our guys back in the lineup, and with a healthy lineup it's a really good group of guys. I think we can accomplish a lot in the second half."
Foremost among those returning players is center Zach Hamill. The 17-year-old playmaker, who had 17 points in 18 games before being sidelined by a bout of mononucleosis, has been cleared to resume playing. Although Constantine refrained from guaranteeing Hamill would play tonight, Hamill did practice at full speed the last two days and is considered probable for tonight's game.
"I feel good," Hamill said following Wednesday's practice. "I feel similar to how I felt when I came to training camp. It's going to be a little tough getting back the first shift or so, but hopefully I'll get used to it pretty quick.
"My hands were a little rough the first couple times I went on the ice when I was home for Christmas," Hamill added. "So it wasn't really a break for me, it was about getting back in game shape."
Everett's other injury concern, defenseman Jonathan Harty, is also considered probable for tonight's game. Harty missed 13 of the last 14 games because of a groin injury.
Though Everett is nearly back to full health, the Tips won't be at full strength. Leading scorer Peter Mueller and key left wing Karel Hromas are both away at the World Junior Hockey Championships, and defenseman Eric Doyle is away at the U-17 World Hockey Challenge.
Mueller is expected to miss five games - two games while playing for Team USA, then an additional three as he's given an further week off to recover. Hromas and Doyle, who each missed time in the first half because of injuries, are not expected to be given an additional week off and should therefore miss just two games.
But once those players return, and if Everett remains healthy, the Tips could be in position to run away with the division title.
"You're always shooting to be first, and in the end your choice would always be to be first," Constantine said. "It gives you home-ice advantage in the playoffs and that's something you always want, so at the end of the day that's where we hope we end up. But we're not going to spend a lot of time thinking about it or worrying about it because there's just so much to get done on a day-to-day basis."
That work resumes tonight.
Everett begins second half of WHL season
By Nick Patterson
Herald Writer
EVERETT - Rested and recharged, the Everett Silvertips are ready to get back to work.
Having had 10 days off, the Silvertips return to the ice for the second half of the Western Hockey League season tonight, playing host to the Tri-City Americans at the Everett Events Center.
"It's always nice to get back to playing," Everett left wing John Lammers said. "Watching some hockey games back home you almost want to be right back out there right away. But it's always good to get a break, too."
Everett rode the roller coaster during the first half of the season. Everett had the longest winning streak in franchise history (eight games) in the process of winning 11 of 12 and taking control of the U.S. Division. However, a rash of injuries led to a franchise-worst seven-game losing streak as the Tips had their division lead evaporate into nothingness. But Everett recovered late, winning seven of its final nine heading into the Christmas break.
The net result was Everett (21-14-1-0) found itself at the halfway point in first place in the division, leading second-place Portland by 10 points - though Portland had four games in hand.
Because of the tumultuous first half, it's difficult to get a grasp on exactly how good the Silvertips are as they head into the second half.
"We're looking to try and put the first half behind us," Everett coach Kevin Constantine said. "There were highs and lows and a little bit of a roller coaster ride early on. We want to take lessons from that experience and set goals for the future. But really we try to focus on - not to be cliche - a shift-to-shift, period-to-period, game-top-game basis and not worry too much about what's happened or what's in front of us. I think the future will take care of itself if we just work hard every day."
Given Everett's position in first place in the division, despite the injuries and the losing streak that marred the first half, the Tips like their chances heading into the second half.
"I think we've got a really good team," Everett goaltender Leland Irving said. "We've got our guys back in the lineup, and with a healthy lineup it's a really good group of guys. I think we can accomplish a lot in the second half."
Foremost among those returning players is center Zach Hamill. The 17-year-old playmaker, who had 17 points in 18 games before being sidelined by a bout of mononucleosis, has been cleared to resume playing. Although Constantine refrained from guaranteeing Hamill would play tonight, Hamill did practice at full speed the last two days and is considered probable for tonight's game.
"I feel good," Hamill said following Wednesday's practice. "I feel similar to how I felt when I came to training camp. It's going to be a little tough getting back the first shift or so, but hopefully I'll get used to it pretty quick.
"My hands were a little rough the first couple times I went on the ice when I was home for Christmas," Hamill added. "So it wasn't really a break for me, it was about getting back in game shape."
Everett's other injury concern, defenseman Jonathan Harty, is also considered probable for tonight's game. Harty missed 13 of the last 14 games because of a groin injury.
Though Everett is nearly back to full health, the Tips won't be at full strength. Leading scorer Peter Mueller and key left wing Karel Hromas are both away at the World Junior Hockey Championships, and defenseman Eric Doyle is away at the U-17 World Hockey Challenge.
Mueller is expected to miss five games - two games while playing for Team USA, then an additional three as he's given an further week off to recover. Hromas and Doyle, who each missed time in the first half because of injuries, are not expected to be given an additional week off and should therefore miss just two games.
But once those players return, and if Everett remains healthy, the Tips could be in position to run away with the division title.
"You're always shooting to be first, and in the end your choice would always be to be first," Constantine said. "It gives you home-ice advantage in the playoffs and that's something you always want, so at the end of the day that's where we hope we end up. But we're not going to spend a lot of time thinking about it or worrying about it because there's just so much to get done on a day-to-day basis."
That work resumes tonight.