Tip...I mean top of the morning to ya!

• Welcome to Everett. A beautiful sunny sky was a great way to start the morning as the Rockets ate breakfast before heading to the rink for a quick pre-game skate. A handful of Rockets skated this morning, including Cody Chikie, who looked like he is ready to return to the lineup shortly. Chikie will sit out tonight's game, but was seen shooting the puck hard and looking as if he hadn't missed a month of action. Chilkie is still recovering from a broken collarbone, but is optimistic he will be in the lineup sooner than many people had expected.
• A great article in the Everett Herald this morning on this series, and the WHL playoffs. The Herald had a front page article featuring 20 year-old team captain Zack Daley. Two pages later you see a spread looking at all of the playoff series, with sports writer Nick Patterson sticking his neck out there by predicting a winner. Patterson predicts the Tips winning this series, but not without a fight.
• Some players grow beards, others dye their hair for the playoffs, but the Everett Silvertips have decided to shave their heads. Everyone on the team, including radio broadcaster Jon Rosen, used a razor to shave their head to the bark, or close too. The only Rockets personnel taking on a similar look is head coach Ryan Huska, who sports the clean cut year round.
• Look for Thomas Heemskerk to get the start in goal for the Tips tonight. Heemskerk played in four of the five games against the Rockets this season.
• A full complement of Rockets coaches have made the trip, including goaltending coach Kim Dillabaugh. 'Dilly' did not travel with the team this season because of commitments with the LA Kings organization, but is here in Everett to help Adam Brown and Mark Guggenberger.