Just a couple quick things today:

– First, an update on Everett’s banged-up defense. Defensemen Noah Juulsen and Tristen Pfeifer both left Tuesday’s Game 6 against Spokane with injuries. I was told by Tips coach Kevin Constantine that Pfeifer is probably done for the season. Juulsen didn’t practice Thursday, but Constantine said Juulsen would probably be able to return at some point during the upcoming series against Portland.

Key winger Dawson Leedahl, who sat out the final three games of the Spokane series, also didn’t practice Thursday. Constantine said Leedahl, like Juulsen, could return at some point during the series.

– Second, I’ve received an explanation for the long gap between Games 2 and 3 between Everett and Portland.

Blame Garth Brooks.

Portland has two buildings at its disposal, the Moda Center and Memorial Coliseum. However Brooks, the country music star, is setting up camp at the Moda Center all of next week. Meanwhile, there’s apparently some kind of convention taking place at Memorial Coliseum during the first part of next week. Therefore, the Winterhawks didn’t have any building availability until next Thursday. That’s why there’s four days off after Game 2 Saturday in Everett.