Geekie sharing a wealth of assists with Americans
There are few players in the Western Hockey League as selfless as Morgan Geekie of the Tri-City Americans.
The 18-year-old centre from Strathclair, Man., has been distributing the wealth in impressive fashion this season and has collected more apples over the past two and-a-half weeks than a fruit picker at harvest.
Geekie has 13 assists to go with his three goals as the Americans have rolled off seven consecutive wins and leaped into the race for top spot in the U.S. Division.
“It’s been good, the team has been rolling here, we’re on a sevengame win streak and it’s been good for everybody,” Geekie said.
The Americans started the streak with a 5-3 win on the road against the Vancouver Giants on Feb. 13, which brought an end to a three-game losing skid.
Geekie picked up a goal and assist in the contest, helping set the streak in motion. Tri-City has since gone on to knock off the Red Deer Rebels, Seattle Thunderbirds, twice, Spokane Chiefs, twice, and Portland Winterhawks.
The Americans have pulled within six points of the second place Thunderbirds and are seven points back of the division-leading Everett Silvertips.
“I’ve been playing with some guys that can, ultimately, put the puck in the net, so I’ve been getting it to them and they’ve been getting the job done,” Geekie said. “It’s definitely not just me, I’ve definitely been playing with other guys that have been getting me the puck as well.”
Currently playing with B.C. products Jordan Topping and Tyler Sandhu, Geekie leads the Americans in scoring with 32 goals and 54 assists for 86 points in 64 games. He’s currently sixth in league scoring between Jayden Halbgewachs of the Moose Jaw Warriors (88 points) and Shawn Mason of the Medicine Hat Tigers (84 points). Playing in his second full season, Geekie has long surpassed his 12 goals and 25-point totals of a year ago.
“Probably just my confidence, there is definitely opportunity given in your second year, I get a little more leeway and it’s been good for me,” Geekie said of his vast offensive improvement.
Geekie had four assists in the Americans’ 5-1 win against the Chiefs this past Saturday in Spokane. Tri-City will try to extend their winning streak Friday on the road against the Thunderbirds.
“I think our confidence is getting there,” Geekie said.
HUGE WEEK FOR HENRY AND SAWCHENKO
Nick Henry of the Regina Pats was named WHL player of the week after a big offensive outbreak.
Henry, 17, had three goals and seven assists in four games for Regina, pacing the No. 2-ranked team in the country to a 3-0-1 record.
The first-year forward leads all WHL rookies in scoring this season with 31 goals and 43 assist for 74 points in 61 games.
Meanwhile, Zach Sawchenko of the Moose Jaw Warriors was named both WHL and CHL goaltender of the week for the secondconsecutive time.
It’s the third time this season Sawchenko, 19, has been named CHL goaltender of the week. The Calgary product had a 4-0-0 record with a 1.50 goals against average and .946 save percentage with one shutout.