Tri City Americans Open 2011-2012 Season Saturday

Frozen pond returns to the Toyota Center.  Saturday the Tri City Americans will be seeking their fourth US Divison title in the last five years when they open the 2011-2012 season vs Spokane.

The Americans have made significant changes, notably trading goalie Drew Owsley in favor of the the youth movement with top North American Prospect Eric Comrie.  Some WHL pundits predict the Kootenay Ice to be the top team again, along with Portland and the Saskatoon Blades...based upon their regular season performances, and Kootenay representing the WHL in the Memorial Cup.   Spokane also gets some consideration as well.  Several WHL observers view Tri City as a middle of the pack team, but if preseason is any indicator, Tri City has beaten two of the previously mentioned teams-Spokane and Kootenay.  We won't really know until they lace up the skates this weekend, but many do agree that the US division will be perhaps the most competitive from top to bottom.   Get your tickets now for the opener, as well as the big Sunday pm game vs. Portland.  And listen live on Newstalk 870, and streaming at newstalk870.am--right here!