Opponent: Tri-City Americans

When: 7:05 p.m.

Where: Everett Events Center

Radio: KRKO (1380 AM)

Slap shots: Tonight’s game is Everett’s last before the Christmas break. The players are being given time to go home for the holidays before returning for a game Dec. 27 against Seattle at the Everett Events Center. … Tri-City defenseman Shawn Belle made the final cut for Canada’s junior national team for the 2004 World Junior Championships and therefore will not be returning to the team in time for tonight’s game. Belle was one of 10 WHL players to make the final 22. The others were Red Deer defensemen Derek Meech and Dion Phaneuf, Portland defenseman Braydon Coburn, Kelowna defenseman Josh Gorges, Lethbridge defenseman Brent Seabrook, Prince Albert forward Jeremy Colliton, Kootenay forward Nigel Dawes, Calgary forward Ryan Getzlaf and Regina goalie Josh Harding. … Everett regained the spot it lost in the Western Major Junior Hockey Writers Association poll. The Silvertips moved back up to 12th after falling from 12th to 13th last week. Kelowna remained the unanimous No. 1, earning all 17 first-place votes. Prince Albert and Kamloops were tied for second. … Portland goalie Krister Toews was named the WHL Player of the Week for Dec. 8-14. Toews gave up just one goal in his two games last week, including a 3-1 victory over Everett on Sunday.

Nick Patterson