The final results are in

Published 4:26 pm Thursday, November 20, 2008

Voting is now concluded, and the winning suggestion in the poll to determine a nickname for the Tochkin-Froese-Maxwell line is …

… none.

Sigh.

The masses (or one person with an itchy mouse-button finger) have spoken, and they’ve decided the Tochkin-Froese-Maxwell line shouldn’t have a nickname. I’m tempted to ignore the “none” result. But running a close second was the BTK Line, which for those of you who aren’t aware has an unsavory history that makes it unappropriate. Then in third was the Kid Line, the default name that’s been used up to this point and really isn’t much different from having no name. Therefore, in the feature story running in tomorrow’s paper Tochkin, Froese and Maxwell will be referred to as, well, Tochkin, Froese and Maxwell.

Pretty sad. I’ve got to say I’m a little disappointed by the lack of imagination and audacity exhibited in the vote. But I acknowledge that my opinion dosn’t necessarily correspond with the majority opinion, so I will abide by the vote.

However, just in case it happens to show up from time to time here in the blogosphere, you’ll know who the NC-17 line refers to.

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Now for real news.

The Tips have avoided a major problem as defenseman Taylor Ellington will not be suspended for his part in the fracas at the conclusion of Wednesday’s game. Both Ellington and Portland’s Tayler Jordan were assessed major penalties and game misconducts after the final horn in Everett’s 7-1 victory. Jordan received a one-game suspension for his cross check on Kyle Beach on which he apparently broke his stick.

This is huge for the Tips as the loss of Ellington would have been a major blow. The Tips have been relying heavily on Ellington and fellow overager Graham Potuer at the back. Ellington’s loss not only would have left the Tips short on experience on defense, it would have left them short period because they only have six healthy defensemen. The trade off of Ellington for Jordan would have been a huge advantage toward Portland for tomorrow’s rematch, but the Tips managed to avoid that pitfall.

Also, key checking forward Jesse Burt should be back in Everett’s lineup tomorrow. Burt sat out Wednesday with a bruised ankle, but he practiced today and should be ready to go. However, forward Ryan White reaggravated his ankle sprain Wednesday and will not dress tomorrow.