The Silvertips skated today for the first time since falling at Victoria on Monday. That’s mostly in anticipation of this weekend’s “three-in-three” schedule and also due to the time of year we’re at now and the number of players banged up.
“I think we know our details and systems – I think we know how we have to play,” head coach Kevin Constantine said. “I think that the secret between now and the end of the year is trying to play with some excitement and some energy, and both those things become difficult when your body’s a little beat up and then the season gets a little routine. I just think if you’re putting the gear on too many times you certainly lose the excitement of putting the gear on.”
Constantine has raved all year about his team’s desire and passion for the game that has allowed it to be so successful. He also noted the fact the team hasn’t had a long losing streak that could derail its ambitions, as well as the daunting schedule the Tips face in their final 19 games
“The secret to being successful, winning a division and being a champion and any of those things is partly stringing some wins together, but it’s very much not allowing yourself to put a long losing streak on the table, and that very easily still could happen,” Constantine said.
The Tips play preseason favorite Seattle and suddenly red-hot Tri-City four more times, Spokane, Victoria (which beat Everett 6-4 on Monday) and nemesis Portland three more times, defending champion Kelowna once and Kamloops once to close out the season.
The takeaway? There’s still a long way to go, and the Tips will face a lot of good opponents over the coming weeks.
– The Edmonton Journal opined Wednesday that the WHL needs to do away with the bantam draft and hold a midget draft like the OHL and QMJHL. Yahoo’s Kelly Friesen disagrees, saying the WHL teams need the extra time to recruit the players they select. I would contend this is particularly the case for American-born hockey players who do not hail from traditional hockey hotbeds (i.e. California and Arizona) and may not even be aware of what the WHL is.
– Last week I overheard Tips F Brian King come over to the bench and ask a staffer where the orange pucks (far softer) were so he could practice blocking. His request reminded me of a certain Mariners commercial so I’ll leave you here:
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