Tri-City Will Be Fresh, But Short-Handed For Opener With Chiefs
The Tri-City Americans will have the fatigue factor on their side when they open their season Saturday night against the Spokane Chiefs.
The Chiefs have the important edge in personnel.
With star left wing Terry Ryan and goaltender Brian Boucher still in National Hockey League training camps, and with three other veterans out, the Americans are short-handed.
At least they’ll come in rested. Tri-City is idle tonight while the Chiefs launch their Western Hockey League season in Kelowna.
Last year, the Americans were without scoring leader Daymond Langkow for 20 games while the Tampa Bay Lightning considered keeping him.
They may have to do without Ryan for an even longer stretch. He has signed with the Montreal Canadiens, who are giving him a long look.
Tri-City officials are proceeding as if Ryan’s junior hockey career is over.
Boucher remains in camp with the Philadelphia Flyers but is expected back. The Chiefs will see Boucher’s backup, Aaron Baker, who returned from Hartford’s camp this week.
The Americans are also without forwards Mike Hurley (ankle sprain) and Shawn Gervais (recuperating from surgery) and defenseman Dan Focht (broken collarbone). Focht was hurt Sunday in his first exhibition with the NHL Phoenix Coyotes.
The Chiefs have everybody back from camp except left wing Joe Cardarelli, who remains with Tampa Bay.
Although the Americans expect close to a sellout Saturday night, officials say tickets should be available at the door up to game time. Chiefs fans can order by phone at 509-735-0500.
Spokane’s home opener is Saturday night, Sept. 28, against the Americans. Tickets remain.
NHLers here for clinic
Former National Hockey League players Bill Butters and Jack Carlson will conduct a youth clinic and banquet Saturday at Eagles Ice-A-Rena.
Butters and Carlson are with Hockey Ministries International.
Instruction includes 3 hours of ice time, dry-land training and video instruction for players in three age groups - 9-10, 11-13 and 14-17.
The $30 cost includes a T-shirt, the clinic and two tickets to the banquet. Dinner is at the Eagles Lodge next to the rink. Extra dinner tickets are $6.
Registration starts with the youngest age group at 7:45 a.m. Saturday.
Carlson is the brother of Steve and Jeff Carlson, who, with Dave Hanson, were the inspiration for the Hanson brothers characters in the movie “Slap Shot.”
, DataTimes