WHL Tri-City Americans

Americans Extinguish Blazers with 5-4 Shootout Win

Published on October 22, 2008 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Tri-City Americans News Release


KAMLOOPS, BC - The 2008-09 Tri-City Americans are letting every team in the Western Hockey League know that no lead is safe against them. At least three-goals leads.

For the second straight time on the road, the Tri-City Americans (9-3-0-0, 18 pts) erased a three-goal deficit in the third period in route to another road victory. This time, it was the Kamloops Blazers (4-8-0-2, 10 pts) who fell victim to the late-game comeback, falling 5-4 to Tri-City in a shootout. With the win, the Americans extend their season-high winning streak to four games, while sending Kamloops to their fifth straight defeat. With back-to-back shootout wins, the Americans pick-up their ninth win of the season and their first win at Interior Savings Centre, in extra time, since January 3, 1989.

The Blazers jumped on the Americans early Tuesday night, as Uriah Machuga notched Kamloops' first goal just 5:36 into the contest. However, nearly two minutes later and on the power play, Brett Plouffe let a slap shot go from the point that found its way past Blazers' netminder Jon Groenheyde. But, four minutes later, the Blazers responded with a Kenton Dulle goal, as the Blazers took a 2-1 lead into the first intermission.

Midway through the second period and, after Tri-City failed to capitalize on a 5-on-3 opportunity earlier in the period, Kamloops extended their lead with Dalibor Bortnak's power play goal at 13:01. Then, with just over two minutes remaining in the period, Brendan Ranford beat Tri-City goaltender Chet Pickard to send the Blazers into the second intermission leading 4-1.

But, just as they did in Regina 10 days earlier, the Americans started another third-period comeback. At the 3:25 mark of the period and on the power play, Johnny Lazo beat Groenheyde, five-hole, to pull Tri-City to within two. Then, nearly four minutes later, Adam Hughesman tipped in Mitch McColm's shot from the point, making it 4-3. Finally, with 32.7 seconds remaining and Pickard pulled for the extra attacker, rookie Justin Feser placed a shot just under the cross bar to send the game into overtime. This season, four of Feser's five goals have come in the Americans' two come-from-behind victories.

After a scoreless overtime, the Blazers elected to have Tri-City go first in the shootout. The Americans' Jason Reese and Hughesman connected on Tri-City's first two attempts, putting Kamloops in the hole. Dulle missed on his attempt, but C.J. Stretch kept the shootout alive at the end of the second round. After Lazo missed his chance to end the game in round three, Pickard made the save on Ranford's attempt, giving Tri-City their second shootout win in as many games.

Tri-City finished the night with a 41 to 27 shot advantage, as Pickard stopped 23 shots while picking up his fourth straight win and seventh of the season. Meanwhile, Groenheyde collected a season-high 36 shots in the loss. The Americans finished the night 2-for-7 on the power play, while the Blazers were 1-for-3 on the man-advantage.

The Americans will now head back home, where they will prepare to face-off against their U.S. Division rivals, the Everett Silvertips on Friday, October 24 at Toyota Center. Game time is 7:05 p.m. in the first match-up of the season between the two clubs. Last season, Tri-City went 4-3-1-2 against the 'Tips, including 2-2-0-1 at Toyota Center. The Americans have lost their past two home games against Everett, but are 15-8-1-1 at home all-time against the Silvertips. Tickets are available through all Ticketmaster locations, including the Toyota Center box office, all Fred Meyer locations, or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Those unable to make it down can catch all the action live on NewsTalk 870 AM, starting with the Sterling Savings Bank Warm-up Show at 6:45 p.m.

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Western Hockey League Stories from October 22, 2008


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