Why am I excited to play Everett?

• Nothing builds a rivalry like playoff hockey. The Rockets and Tips have build up this rivalry thanks to two playoff encounters in 04 and 06. Yet in this series, it's tough to use the word 'hated rivalry' because I don't think the fans nor the teams really hate each other. Let's face it, Rockets fans hate Vancouver/Kamloops, and the feeling is mutual. The vibe I get in this series is a general respect the fans and players have for both organizations.
• The building. You can't watch or call a junior hockey game in a better arena than Comcast. Sorry, you can't. Pacific Coliseum gave them a run for their money last weekend when we were in that building as 12 thousand strong made a ton of noise. The fans in Everett are extremely passionate about the team and the game. You can't knock this group for screaming when the Tips simply bring the puck into the offensive zone. I get as charged up as the fans when Comcast comes to a crescendo. I love the building and hope to call more than just two games in there in this playoff series.
• 21 points. These two teams were separated by 21 points in the standings, so the Tips are the heavy favourites. They are a good team. You don't put up 97 points by fluke. The strength of this team in my opinion is in goal. The match up between Rockets netminder Adam Brown and likely Tips starter Thomas Heemskerk is worth watching. Who's the better goalie? Statistically Heemskerk is. Brown faced 372 more shots than the 19 year-old this season. Brown has to outplay Heemskerk for the Rockets to have a chance in this series. I hope the goaltenders on both sides give the shooters headaches.
• Watch the coaches.This should be a good showdown. Tips head coach Craig Hartsburgh has NHL experience and has won two gold medals as the coach of Canada's world junior team. Huska most recently led his team to a WHL title. Observing two quality coaches in a seven game series is always interesting.
• Speaking of the coaches, my belief is Craig Hartsburgh will be extremely guarded when speaking to the media in this series. I get this 'old school' vibe from him that the media is as much the enemy as the team his club is facing. Maybe I am completely wrong and he will surprise me. I'll let you know. The same I believe does not hold true with Tips GM Doug Soetaert, who has been personable every time I've met him. Soetaert makes it look like he is a fan of the media. And why shouldn't he be? Soetaert gets it. It's about selling tickets and getting his team in the headlines. Soetaert is a solid GM and realizes the importance the media plays in promoting his product.
• As a broadcaster, you always have a belief the team you are calling games for has a chance to win. Why would you go into a series with the mindset for failure? I believe the Rockets can win this series, but not without an all out effort from everybody. Codey Ito, a fourth line player, has to work his tail off and be as affective as Tyson Barrie is offensively. The Tips can afford to have a few passengers in this series and get by, the Rocket can't.
• This series should receive solid media coverage. Nick Patterson writes and blogs for the Everett Herald. Patterson isn't scared to share his opinion and covers the Tips by producing solid copy. He is worth reading for pre and post game stories in this series. Just goggle Everett Herald and you are on your way. The Kelowna Daily Courier is going to be sending Doyle Potenteau on the road for this series, so the Rockets angle will be covered by our daily newspaper. Potenteau has been on many a long playoff run in his time in Kelowna, and knows how to get the message out to the masses.
• My objective on this blog is to share thoughts on the series as it develops. While angled towards the Rockets, my hope is to provide Tips readers a reason to stop by here every day for a look at the visiting teams perspective. If you are a Tips fan, you are encouraged to leave a comment on your take on my obsevations or on what you see in the series.