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thanatos80
09-30-2006, 10:49 AM
Defense appears sound; team speed key to improved offense

By MATTHEW GASCHK
SPECIAL TO THE P-I

Step up and step out.

That's what Thunderbirds coach Rob Sumner wants his team to do, as he juggles a lineup that features a mix of proven Western Hockey League veterans and relatively green players.

With a solid defense built around two-time Memorial Cup goaltender Derek Yeomans and an offense that scored the second-fewest goals among the 16 playoff teams last year, it is clear improvement will have to come on the offensive end.

"Overall we want to develop our philosophy that uses our team speed," said Sumner, whose team hosts the Vancouver Giants in its home opener tonight. "With the new rules you also need to have a real team defense and you need great goaltending, and we're strong in that department."

A group of talented forwards returns that includes NHL campers Aaron Gagnon (Dallas Stars), Chris Durand (Colorado Avalanche) and Bud Holloway (Los Angeles Kings), along with proven scorer Kyle Pess, all of whom use their speed to generate offense.

"If we're going to be successful we need guys to step up and step out," Sumner said. "We have experienced guys who have put up numbers in this league, and we're looking for that from them.

"There are a few guys in their second year ... we're looking for big things from them to add to our team, and so far we've seen that from a lot of those guys."

Of the T-Birds' six goals in their season-opening, two-game road series at Prince George, three came from second-year players. The most impressive was David Richard, who scored in the first game. Last season, Richard didn't register his first point until the 52nd game.

"We're not going to look too lightly on that," Sumner said of an early season confidence boost.



"Confidence is a funny thing because it might only come bit by bit, but when you get results you take big steps."

Along with Yeomans tending the net, Seattle will feature a trio of high-caliber defensemen who are different, but fit into a new rule system that penalizes an obstruction.

Scott Jackson is a physical blue liner who thrives on quick feet. Bretton Stamler is a heady defender with one goal and one assist. Thomas Hickey is a dynamo, a threat to take the puck coast-to-coast.

"We're solid in net, and the defense shouldn't be a problem," Stamler said. "Offensively, we'll need some forwards to break out, and our speed can help us do that."

SPEED KILLS: Last season, the WHL took major steps toward matching the NHL's new goal-friendly rules. This season it went full bore, nearly matching NHL standards in a move that creates more opportunities for skilled skaters to display their talents.

"Last year, teams that knew how to play on the edge as far as penalties could cut down on the speed of other teams," Sumner said.

"If you obstructed a fairly smart (way) last year, you could eliminate a lot of a team's speed coming up the ice."

While he stands to benefit from the rule changes, Durand said most players will spend the first two months breaking old habits.

"We've been playing hockey one way for most of our lives, and now we have to be more aware of the way we're playing," he said.

AROUND THE WHL: Five former T-Birds are with other teams -- Eli Grossmann with Prince George, Clayton Barthel and James McEwan with the Kelowna Rockets, Ladislav Scurko with the Tri-City Americans and Robert Klinkhammer with the Portland Winter Hawks. ... Everett 2006 NHL draftees Peter Mueller (eighth to the Phoenix Coyotes) and Ondrej Fiala (40th to the Minnesota Wild) are away from the team. Mueller is still with the Coyotes and Fiala is out indefinitely after knee surgery. ... The expansion Chilliwack Bruins played their opener in front of a sellout crowd of 5,100 at Prospera Centre.




T-BIRDS VS. GIANTS


WHEN/WHERE: Tonight, 7:05, KeyArena


RADIO: KKNW-AM/1150


RECORDS: Seattle is tied for second in the U.S. Division at 1-1-0-0 (2 points). Vancouver leads the B.C. Division at 2-0-0-0 (4 points).


NOTES: The T-Birds will unveil a third jersey for the home opener, commemorating the team's 30th anniversary. ... The Giants won five of six games between the teams last season, outscoring the T-Birds 21-6. ... Vancouver bludgeoned it first two opponents, outscoring Portland and Spokane a combined 13-2.

-- Matthew Gaschk

LifelongChiefsFan
09-30-2006, 04:44 PM
Vancouver bludgeoned it first two opponents, outscoring Portland and Spokane a combined 13-2.

I'd hardly call a 4-2 loss with an EN a bludgeoning, lol