The Chilliwack Bruins ... make that the Victoria Royals are in town tonight.
They may have moved across the bridge and changed their mascot ans colors, but they still are a Marc Habscheid-coached team that can never be taken for granted.
I have to say, the best thing about the former Bruins being in Victoria is that Darryl Porter no longer can drive another WHL team into the ground and disappoint their fans.
Today, Ams goalie Eric Comrie was named CHL goaltender of the week after after recording two shutout victories in two starts against Prince George, giving him a goals-against-average of 0.00 and a perfect save percentage of 1.000. Comrie recorded his first two career shutouts in back-to-back wins against the Prince George Cougars. The Americans won both contests by 1-0 scores with Comrie making 17 saves on Friday night as third star of the game, and then made 30 saves as first star of the game on Saturday.
Young Mr. Comrie gets the start tonight.
Monday, Vancouver’s Brendan Gallagher was named WHL Player of the Week after picking up seven points — scoring three goals and four assists to go with a plus-2 rating — in three games, helping the Giants to a 2-1-0-0 record.
Everett’s Ryan Murray is in the IR list. The Silvertips captain suffered an ankle injury last last week against Brandon. He was diagnosed with a sprained ankle and is expected to miss around five weeks. He may be back in action the next time the Americans take on the Silvertips — Dec. 3 at Toyota Center.
The Western Hockey League will name the rosters for the 2011 Subway Super Series on Thursday at a media conference in Moose Jaw at Mosaic Place. Americans forward Brendan Shinnimin has played for Team WHL the last two years.
In the house tonight is Spokane GM Tim Speltz. I'm sure he's not here for Dollar Dog Days. There is a big game on Saturday.
Tonight, the Ams scratch list includes Riley Guenther, Justin Hamonic, Lucas Nickles, Tyson Dallman and MacKenzie Royer.
For the Royals, Zach Habscheid (concussion), Tyler Stahl (concussion), Brendan Persley (mono), Curt Gogol (AHL), Taylor Crunk (shoulder) and Jesse Pauls (wrist).
The officials are referee Trevor Hanson and linesmen Jason Michelbook and Trevor Shively.
Puck drops in 15. Stay tuned.
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Victoria gets off to a hot start, taking a 2-0 lead just 5:31 into the game, both on the power play. The first,by Kevin Sundher, came on a 5-on-3 power play. This after killing off 12 straight PP in Prince George.
Midway through the period, Tri-City's Drydn Dow tried to send the puck up ice, but hit Victoria's Lukas Kralik in the head with the puck, sending his visor flying. Kralik appears to be fine.
Ams hold a 15-7 shot advantage, but fail to capitalize on two PP.
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Comrie was pulled after allowing 4 goals on 13 shots and the Royals leading 4-1.
Tri-City got a goal from Marcus Messier to break up Keith Hamilton's shutout at 6:35, and Justin Feser cut the deficit to 4-2 late in the second to breathe a little life back in the Americans with one period to play.
Things have gotten a little out of control in Vancouver, where the Giants and PG Cougars have combined for 185 penalty minutes through two periods. The Giants do lead 5-1.
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Nate MacMaster and Malte Stromwall scored in the third for the Americans, and Ty Rimmer made a ton of quality saves, but Jamie Crooks' goal in the third was the difference maker for the Royals in a 5-4 win.
The Ams are off until Saturday when Spokane rolls into town. There are three days to right the ship. Hopefully they use them well.
