In the Chase

When Seattle fell to Victoria at home on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, they were seven points and four wins behind the Tri-City Americans for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. At other times they've been double digits behind the Ams in the standings. Eight days After that Victoria loss the T-birds would trade their captain and leading scorer, Matthew Wedman, to the Kelowna Rockets for future draft picks. To many fans and outside observers, this appeared to be a signal the team was folding shop and throwing in the towel with ten games to go before the holiday break.

You know the old saying, those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it? Well, when Seattle dealt away some veterans at the midpoint last season, ten points out of a playoff spot at the time, the same naysayers were singing the same tune. The team had given up. But GM Bil LaForge said then, and he said it again this season, he doesn't own a white flag. This team will not surrender. History just might be repeating itself.

Over the last ten games before the Christmas break, the T-birds went 5-5, at the same time, Tri-City was compiling a 1-7-2-1 record. In just over two weeks time, Seattle pulled within a point of the Americans and even in the win column. Entering the break, Seattle was trending upward. They won two in a row and three of four, including a pair of victories over Tri-City. As a result they are within in one point of that eighth and final playoff spot. They have put themselves in position to chase down a postseason spot with 36 games remaining. They are actually in a better spot then they were at this time a season ago.

They also told the young players, this is your team. It was a vote of confidence for a team that gives heavy minutes to 13 rookies or second year players. A playoff spot is not guaranteed, but they know if they get there, it will be because those baker's dozen youngsters are pulling the sleigh. Yes, they'll need their veterans to bring leadership the rest of the way too, but the young guns are the key to the second half playoff push.

Want proof? Just look at Seattle's newly constructed top line. It does feature a 19 year old in Keltie Jeri-Leon and 18 year old NHL drafted Henrik Rybinski, but it also includes 16 year old rookie Conner Roulette. In the last ten games, that line combo has garnered 25 points (11g, 14a). Guess which one of those three is leading that line in point production? It's the 16 year old. Meanwhile, another rookie, 17 year old Matt Rempe, picked up eight points (3g, 5a) since being given the job of third line center. But don't go off the stat sheet to see the impact these first and second year players are having. See it with your own eyes. Watch the impact players such as Brendan Williamson, Lucas Ciona and Payton Mount are having on the opposing team as they try to bring the puck up ice.

What can help Seattle over the course of the second half is to somehow fix the power play. Seattle has struggled with the man advantage, particularly on the road. The best they can do is keep trying. I doubt there is any help coming in that regard via a trade. They have been doing a better job setting up on the power play recently. A lack of finish is the culprit. Maybe a break is exactly what they need to reset their power play focus.

As it was a season ago, the second half is going to present a bear of a schedule. Getting to the playoffs won't be easy. If it happens, it will be earned.

My Three Stars for the final week of play, pre-holiday break:

Third Star: W Andrej Kukuca. Seattle won three of four heading into the break and Kukuca had points in all four games and he was a plus player each night. The 20 year old Slovakian earned six points (2g,4a) and was a +7 over the four contests.

Second Star: C Henrk Rybinski. The Florida Panthers draft pick didn't pile up the points with just three (2g,1a) but he is the one player who sets the tone for the team with his relentless energy. To play T-birds hockey, you have to commit to the forecheck and Rybinski does that in spades. Still think he needs to shoot more and pass less, but he is a creator in the offensive zone.

First Star: W Conner Roulette. Most times if you said your best player over the week was a 16 year old, you probably didn't play too well. This is not one of those times. His last four games garnered him seven points (3g, 4a), a shootout winning goal and a +7 rating. I'd take that every week from a 20 year old veteran, let alone a 16 year old rookie. Don't think he's just a one dimensional player either. He plays a 200-foot game and is a very strong back checker.