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WHL Tri-City Americans

Tremendous Tri-City Effort Evens Series at One Apiece

March 25, 2007 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Tri-City Americans News Release


KENNEWICK, WA - A lot can change in twenty four hours; perceptions, feelings and emotions to name a few. On Saturday night in Kennewick, the Tri-City Americans changed the entire course of their seven-game series with energy and sweat.

After a spectacular 32-save effort from starting goaltender Carey Price, the Tri-City Americans (1-1-0-0, 2 pts) pulled themselves through adversity and into a 1-all tie in their best-of-seven, First Round series with the Seattle Thunderbirds (1-1-0-0, 2 pts) at the Toyota Center in Kennewick. After a timid effort in the series-opener, the Americans came out and played with a passion the fans from Tri-City have become accustomed to seeing. In the end, the 3,607 fans in attendance were treated to a classic Tri-City versus Seattle match-up.

From the drop of the opening puck, the Americans were skating faster, more precisely and more intensely than they did in Friday night's loss. However, despite their hard work, Seattle notched their second power play goal in as many games. At the 5:17 mark, off a Scott Jackson shot, Seattle's Radek Meidl deflected the shot past Price for the early 1-0 lead. The lead stood going into the first intermission and, in the second period, the T'birds had a prime opportunity to increase their lead in the game.

But, after an outstanding effort to kill off a 5-on-3 Seattle power play, Tri-City came back with a power play goal of their own to tie the game at 1-apiece. With 3:21 left to play in the second period, Taylor Procyshen tipped in an Erik Felde shot, past Seattle net minder Derek Yeomans, for his first goal of the 2007 Playoffs.

Still feeding off the momentum built earlier, Tri-City lit the lamp 1:26 later to take a 2-1 lead into the third period. After a sloppy clearing pass from Seattle's Jackson, Tri-City's Aaron Boogaard corralled the puck and beat Yeomans all alone, for his first-career play-off goal. Yeomans finished the night with 28 saves on 30 shots faced in the loss.

Yet, Tri-City's work had just begun. In the final period, the T'birds launched 19 shots on goal to the Americans' four and received a penalty shot at the 10:52 mark of the period. But, as time ticked away, Price made save after save to secure the win for the Americans. Including their Playoff series, tonight's contest was the seventh time in 10 games that a game has been decided by just one goal. Seattle finished 1-for-9 on the power play, while Tri-City was 1-for-7. The two teams will now prepare for pivotal games 3 and 4 at Key Arena in Seattle. After a day off on Sunday, the Americans will head to Seattle for Game 3 on Tuesday, March 27. Game time is 7:05 PM. You can catch the Americans' play-off drive, live on NewsTalk 870 AM. The broadcast starts with the Budweiser Warm-Up Show, which begins 15 minutes before game time. Single-game tickets go on sale Monday for Game 5 through all TicketsWest locations, including Red Lion Hotels, by calling 1-800-325-SEAT (7328), by visiting amshockey.com, or by stopping by the Toyota Center box office.

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