Prior to the Silvertips’ 13th straight victory on Friday night, the atmosphere at the Ice Box Bar at Comcast Arena transformed into a country western honky tonk. Chance McKinney performed his country western originals for fans of the Western Hockey League. When not teaching Advanced Placement Statistics at Kamiak High School, McKinney has been advancing the statistical placement of his country western songs on the charts. His “Be Real” video won the 2009 Country Music Television’s Music City Madness online contest.

As Chance McKinney and his band Crosswire delivered a 60-minute high energy set, his high school students gathered near the stage, snapped photos, sang along with the lyrics and cheered the loudest. Silvertips fans mingled, drank beer, and swayed to the twangy groove of the music.

From the stage, McKinney interacted with the hockey crowd between songs.

“Hey, when did they allow hockey sticks into a country concert. Dude, you’re making me nervous,” he joked with Silvertips fan Earl Stephens.

The song “When Rednecks Get Together” became a crowd sing-a-long.

“I’ve never seen a redneck at hockey game,” McKinney humorously quipped and rolled his eyes. “Yeahh…”

Toward the end of the set, the band was introduced, including drummer Brian Bujacich who was born and raised in Everett.

Chris and Linnea Covington have been Silvertips season ticket holders since “day one” and arrived at Comcast Arena early on Friday evening to catch McKinney’s set.

“I used to not like country music, then I worked in the Puyallup Fair in the green room. I started meeting people like Alan Jackson and I became a big fan,” commented Linnea.

After singing the National Anthem from the ice before the game, Chance finally had a chance to relax with friends late in the first period of the hockey game at the upper level lounge at Comcast Arena. McKinney reflected on his gig.

“This is the hometown crowd for me, the Everett–Mukilteo area. This is where it originated and branched out from,” he commented.

But is there a crossover between country western fans and hockey fans? McKinney certainly believes there is and pointed out that KMPS 94.1, Seattle’s country radio station is the only music radio station that displays an advertisement in the home of the Silvertips.

The crowd assembled at the Ice Box bar for McKinney’s set weren’t the only country western music fans at Comcast Arena on Friday night. Several die-hard country music fans were in the locker rooms getting ready for the game. There are eight Silvertips players who mention in their bios that they listen to country music, all from the plains provinces of Canada.

“The prairies in general…there are a lot of country music fans,” commented Curtis Kulchar after practice on Wednesday. Kulchar is a somewhat new defenseman for the Tips, who hails from Martensville, Saskatchewan. “I have lots of friends back home who are big into country music.”

Kulchar’s mom is a long-time Garth Brooks fan, so he grew up with C&W in the house.

“I like George Straight, Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks, Kenny Chesney. Last summer in Craven, Saskatchewan, I went to a big festival and saw George Straight, Taylor Swift and Charlie Daniels,” Kulchar added.

Another country-music-lovin’ Saskatchewanian Silvertips defenseman is Ryan Murray from White City, SK, who participated in two assists in Friday night’s 4–3 win over the Portland Winterhawks.

“I got into country music from my mom,” commented Murray after practice on Wednesday. “She lived on a farm and we listened to country around the house. I like Brooks & Dunn, George Straight, Tim McGraw.”

So does country music get Murray amped up to play hockey before a game?

“No, its more to listen and relax and chill out in my spare time,” Murray replied.

It’s plain to see…Canadians love American country music, and Americans love Canadian hockey.

OK, here’s a joke. Are you ready?

Q: What does a country western band and a hockey team have in common?

A: Each group has a toothless guy who’s always trying to score.

The Silvertips hope to score multiple times on Saturday night at Comcast Arena to make it a 14-game winning streak, facing off against the Kamloops Blazers at 7:05 pm. Tickets are on sale now at everettsilvertips.com and at the Comcast Arena Box Office. For ticket information, including season seats and ticket packages, please call the Silvertips’ front office at (425) 252-5100.

Visit Chance McKinney’s website: