First look at the division leaders
Published 3:01 pm Thursday, December 17, 2009
Tomorrow Everett fans get their first look at the U.S. Division leaders, the Tri-City Americans. Get used to these guys as the Tips face the Americans in four of their next six games (spanning the Christmas break), including three at home.
There was a point not so long ago when these two organizations despised one another. However, relations have thawed considerably over the past two seasons. I’d speculate a combination of factors — former Everett coach Kevin Constantine moving on to the professional ranks, Tri-City transforming itself from a physical team to a speed team, the Americans finally earning their first banners — is responsible for that development.
The Tips may face tomorrow’s Tri-City challenge minus two of their most influential players. Defenseman Radko Gudas has left the team to join up with the Czech Republic for the World Junior Hockey Championships, while winger Shane Harper didn’t practice today because of the upper-body bruise sustained in Wednesday night’s game. Harper has not been ruled out for tomorrow, however. Captain Zack Dailey should be back after sitting out two games with a head injury.
Finally, Alan Caldwell (link on the left) has published his preview of this year’s Mac’s Midget Tournament. Everett has five prospects participating. The one new name among the five is 1994-born forward Brendan Jost of the Okanagan Rockets. Jost was a training camp invitee this year, and though I don’t recall him standing out a lot to me, I know the Tips were interested in him, so it’s not that surprising to find him on Everett’s list. The other Everett participants are forwards Brett Mulcahy, Jari Erricson and Kohl Bauml, and defenseman Nicholas Walters.
