| HeraldNet - Snohomish County's online news source |
 SUNDAY, MARCH 21, 2010 2:31 am |
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Sports 
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Beach now an enemy of the Silvertips A force when he played for Everett, Kyle Beach returns this time to his former home as a key member of the Spokane Chiefs, a huge U.S. Division rival of the Tips EVERETT — Kyle Beach already had his homecoming game at Comcast Arena.Now Beach is on his way back again, but this time is different. This time Beach isn't just an opponent, he's the enemy. The controversial former Everett Silvertips star returns to Everett again tonight, but this time as a member the Spokane Chiefs of Everett's U.S. Division rivals. That means it's just the first of five scheduled returns to Everett for Beach this season. It also means the Tips and their fans are in line for a new perspective on the player who became the division's most hated during his two-plus years in Everett. “I really don't think my game has changed,” Beach said via cell phone Tuesday. “Guys like (Shane) Harper and (Zack) Dailey are really good friends of mine. But now when we're on the ice I play like I don't know who they are.” Well, maybe his memory isn't completely blank. “I might throw an elbow or two into Dailey's face, or into Harper's,” Beach quipped. Tonight is the second time Everett's faced Spokane since Beach joined the team. The Tips prevailed 5-2 in Spokane when the teams met on Nov. 10. And facing their old teammate was everything the Tips expected. “Same old Beach,” Harper said with a laugh. “I know the first game against Spokane, I lined up against him on the opening faceoff and he definitely stuck me right off the draw,” Harper explained with a grin. “I tried to get him back, but that's to be expected. He got me good.” Beach's name still resonates in Everett, despite having been traded to Lethbridge more than 10 months ago. The explosive and abrasive winger compiled 67 goals and 87 assists in 159 games over parts of four seasons with Everett, earning WHL Rookie of the Year honors in 2007. He's also Everett's record holder for career penalty minutes with 528. When the trade with Lethbridge happened the fan reaction was split, with some bemoaning the loss of the team's star while others bidding him good riddance. Beach made his initial return to Everett last season on Feb. 7 while playing for Lethbridge, again to mixed fan reaction. At the time it was believed it was Beach's final game at Comcast Arena, as the Hurricanes do not play in Everett this season. However, in a shocking development Beach was traded back to the U.S. Division at the start of the season. That changed everything with regards to the relationship between Beach and his former team. Lethbridge has no rivalry with Everett, given the teams are in separate conferences and meet just once per season. But Spokane is a divisional rival, one that is currently jockeying for position with the Tips in the standings. That means Beach will be at full force, whether it's with his play, trash talking or antics. And while Beach received his share of cheers when he returned as a Hurricane, it remains to be seen how he'll be greeted as a Chief. “It's definitely different knowing we're going to see him nine more times,” Harper said. “I know he likes to play against us because he knows everybody on the team. Hopefully our team doesn't worry about that part and gets the job done like we did in Spokane.” Beach landing in Spokane in the first place was an eyebrow-raiser. Many of his highest-profile incidents, including the infamous postgame punchout with then-Chiefs captain Chris Bruton in January of 2008, occurred against Spokane. His arrival in Spokane was greeted with mixed feelings by the Chiefs' faithful. “I was nervous before I got here,” Beach said. “There were some boos during the home opener. But I had a three-point night that night and they changed to cheers. There's still a few boos, but I'm hoping to win them over. Otherwise it's been an easy transition. I have a great linemate in (Mitch) Wahl, who's great at setting me up, and I'm happy to be here.” Beach certainly has done everything he can to endear himself to the Spokane fans with his play. Beach is on fire offensively, having scored 19 goals in 21 games. And although his penalty minutes remain on the high side (69 in 21 games), so far he's been on relatively good behavior, avoiding the type of major incidents that dot his past. But will it remain that way now that he's in his old stomping grounds? “It's exciting going back because I have a lot of friends and family there,” Beach said. “But it's just another game for me. Yeah, it's different (now that he's playing for one of Everett's rivals), but at the same time it's more important to help the Spokane Chiefs win. We have a team we think can make a run at the title, so we're going to work to put ourselves in position where the GM wants to make some trades to put us over the top.” Slap shots Both teams will be playing short-handed tonight because of the Canada-Russia Super Series. Everett center Byron Froese and Spokane left wing Levko Koper and defenseman Jared Cowen are playing for Team WHL tonight in Victoria, B.C. ... Two players are expected back in the lineup tonight for Everett. Defenseman Ryan Murray, who's been out sice Oct. 17 because of a broken thumb, has practiced at full speed and should be ready tonight. Also, right wing Cameron Abney, who was scratched in both games last weekend for disciplinary purposes, is eligible again. Abney was disciplined for lateness, the second time this season he's been disciplined for being late. Nick Patterson's Silvertips blog: http://www.heraldnet.com/silvertipsblog |
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