Feature Game of the Night: Americans @ Silvertips 7:05 PM PST
In an all American bout, the Ams will head to Everett to take on the ever so powerful Silvertips in their fourth meeting of the season on Saturday night in the WHL.
The Americans (20-13-1-1) aren’t strangers to competing with the big dogs of the league, last season with the likes of Michael Rasmussen, and Jake Bean the squad was one of its most powerful the Franchise had seen. This season is a bit of a different tale, no big names like Bean and Rasmussen to speak of. Instead it’s been a full team effort to put up such a stellar record. The Ams lead the season series between the clubs by a 2-1 margin, and considering Everett only has eight regulation losses on the season, two against one team in their own division is a big one for TC. Last night, the Americans beat the ‘Tips by a 3-2 score, the game winning goal scored by 2001-born Blake Stevenson who has 14 points in 29 games in his rookie season in the WHL.
The Silvertips (29-8-1-1) are among the leagues elite, there’s no question. Somehow the ‘Tips have struggled against the Americans this season, who have outscored Everett 9-7 in the season series. You can call this a ‘struggle’ merely by the fact that the ‘Tips have been rolling over teams on a nightly basis since the season began. The Silvertips sit 12 points up on the next best team in the west the Vancouver Giants in the Western Conference standings, only the PA Raiders sit ahead of them in the league with 69 points on the season. Last night, Everett doubled up TC in the shots on goal category 39-18, but couldn’t beat Beck Warm after the first period as the Ams erased a 2-0 lead to score three unanswered in comeback fashion.
Who to Watch:
- Connor Bouchard (TC)- 2G, 17A- Coming off back to back multipoint games, the 2001-born might’ve found his stride setting up Blake Stevenson last night on the GWG
- Jackson Berezowski (EVT)-9G, 3A -Has started to heat up, the 2002-born has points in four of his last five, and has three goals in his last two games.
Who’s in net:
- Beck Warm- TC- (2.970 GAA, .909 SV%) Has been absolutely stellar in five of his last six games putting up .941 SV% or higher
- Dustin Wolf- EVT- (1.825 GAA, .929 SV%) Last night was the first time he’s posted a sub-.900 SV% since November 30th.
Other games:
Medicine Hat Tigers (22-15-1-2) @ Calgary Hitmen (18-16-3-1)
- Medicine Hat is 9-1-0-0 in their last ten games
Portland Winterhawks (22-11-3-2) @ Moose Jaw Warriors (21-8-5-1)
- One and only meeting of the season, both teams are hot on mutli-game winning streaks
Saskatoon Blades (24-11-5-0) @ Prince Albert Raiders (34-4-0-1)
- PA leads the season series 4-1.
Regina Pats (12-25-1-1) @ Swift Current Broncos (7-28-2-1)
- Regina leads the season series 3-1, Swift Current won the latest meeting on December 12th 4-3.
Victoria Royals (19-15-1-0) @ Red Deer Rebels (22-13-2-0)
- A once soaring Rebels team has been struggling of late, 5-4-1-0 in their last ten.
Spokane Chiefs (21-13-2-2) @ Kootenay Ice (8-25-6-1)
- Spokane leads the season series 3-0, this is the final meeting of the season for the clubs.
Kelowna Rockets (17-17-3-1) @ Kamloops Blazers (14-18-2-1)
- Kamloops leads the season series 3-1, Kelowna won the most recent meeting 2-1 on Dec. 29th.
