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<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   Today's game Opponent: Tri-City Americans When: 7:05 p.m. Where: Toyota Center, Kennewick Radio: KRKO (1380 AM) Scouting report The Western Hockey League season resumes with Everett (18-16-0-2) and Tri-City (25-7-1-0) playing the sixth of their 10 meetings this season. Everett leads the season series 3-2, but the Americans won the most recent contest, beating the Tips 3-1 at Tri-City on Dec. 14. Tri-City went into the break on a roll. The Americans won four straight after dropping back-to-back decisions against the Tips on Dec. 5 and 7. The Americans concluded the first half by going into Spokane and winning 4-1 against a Chiefs team with the WHL’s best record. The Americans have one of the league’s most dynamic offenses. Not only do the Americans have one of the league’s top duos in 20-year-old left wing Colton Yellow Horn (21 goals, 24 assists) and 17-year-old center Kruise Reddick (16 goals, 24 assists). Nineteen-year-old right wing Taylor Procyshen (15 goals, 10 assists) is expected back after missing nine games because of a concussion to complete the line. Nineteen-year-old left wing Jason Reese (13 goals, 29 assists) and 20-year-old center Shaun Vey (15 goals, 21 assists) give Tri-City a dangerous second line. In goal, 18-year-old Chet Pickard (21-5-1-0, 2.67 goals against average, .906 save percentage) has provided solid play. Nick Patterson, Herald writer   ADDITIONAL ITEMS • Everett Silvertips (External Link) • Schedule (External Link)   CONTACT THE HERALD Report scores and results to 425-339-3470 or 1-866-6-SCORES (Call after 4:30 p.m.) E-mail information including items for Tuesday's Communities Sports Roundup and Thursday's Outdoor Calendar, to sports@heraldnet.com Kevin Brown, Sports Editor kbrown@heraldnet.com   Published: Thursday, December 27, 2007 Silvertips hit the ice skating After a nine-day break, Everett plays three games in a row, starting with tonight's game at Tri-City. By Nick Patterson Herald Writer EVERETT -- The second half of the Western Hockey League season begins tonight. And the Everett Silvertips aren't exactly being eased back into action. Everett returns from the Christmas Break with three games in three nights, meaning the Tips will have to get back up to speed in a hurry. Everett opens the second half at Tri-City tonight. That's followed with games at Seattle on Friday and at home against Moose Jaw on Saturday. With just one day's worth of practice heading in, the Tips have little time to shake the lethargy built during the nine-day holiday layoff. "I'm sure it'll take a couple games to get back into things," Everett coach John Becanic said. "Some guys didn't even bring their equipment home, so this was the first time they skated in seven or eight days. Hopefully we'll be disciplined and smart (tonight) and try to win the game that way. I don't know how pretty the game is going to be from either side." The Tips held a rare evening practice Wednesday night to accomodate the players' travels. Captain Jonathan Harty, who traveled four time zones to spend Christmas with his family in Oromocto, New Brunswick, practiced without having slept during the previous 24 hours. Even the late practice couldn't accomodate everyone. Goaltender Leland Irving and left wing Lukas Vartovnik weren't back in time to participate, while winger Tyler Skauge joined practice late. Even assistant coach Mark LeRose had problems, arriving after practice concluded because of a canceled flight. For those who did get in a full practice, it was a matter of working out the rust that built up during the nine-day layoff. "I was definitely a bit rusty," Everett leading scorer Kyle Beach said. "But it was nice to get back on the ice and see all the boys. I think we're all fired up and motivated and I think we're going to have a positive second half." Whether the Tips are able to have that positive second half may be decided quickly. The next two weeks could be critical for determining the team's future. The Tips have hovered around .500 all season and the Jan. 10 trade deadline looms. How the team performs in these games immediately following the break could determine whether the Tips are buyers or sellers at the deadline. "I think we're all a little unsure with the trade deadline coming up," Beach said. "We know if we want to keep this great group of guys together we have to perform." The good news for Everett is that the team is almost complete heading into this stretch. Irving and star center Zach Hamill are available after missing the final cut for Canada's team for the World Junior Hockey Championships, and Hamill is eligible again after completing his two-game suspension. No other Everett players are away at either World Juniors or the U-17 World Hockey Challenge, either. The Tips are also healthy on the injury front. Beach, who missed the final two games of the first half because of a concussion, has been cleared to play. In addition, Beach's back injury that lingered since crashing into the goalpost at Chilliwack on Nov. 18 had time to recover during the break. The only thing that will keep Everett from fielding a full lineup tonight is the flu. Winger Jordan Mistelbacher is definitely out tonight, and defenseman Mike Alexander is considered questionable. "We've got a lot of extra bodies here now and a lot of the young guys are playing good hockey," Becanic said. "So I'm quite confident putting some of the younger guys into positions they proved they can play before the break. If there's anything we gained from the first half of the season it's that we're starting to get more confidence is some of the younger forwards." Nick Patterson's Silvertips blog: www.heraldnet.com/silvertipsblog

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