WHL Tri-City Americans

Messier's Late Winner Guides Americans Past Cougars 3-2

Published on October 31, 2009 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Tri-City Americans News Release


PRINCE GEORGE, BC - Scoreless on their last seven opportunities, the Tri-City Americans power play units needed a boost. Enter Jordan Messier.

Just 12 minutes after he helped tie the game, Dallas Jackson's high sticking penalty cost the Prince George Cougars (3-11-0-0, 6 pts) a chance at the win, as Messier buried the game winner with 15.5 seconds remaining, lifting the Tri-City Americans (12-3-0-0, 24 pts) to a 3-2 road victory in front of 1,946 fans at CN Centre. With the win, the Americans stretched their winning streak over the Cougars to seven games while improving to 2-1 on their five-game road trip. Meanwhile, Prince George has now lost nine of their last 10 contests.

After a disappointing loss on Wednesday and looking to make a statement, the Americans dominated the first 20 minutes of play. Despite a 17 to 5 shot advantage, however, Tri-City could only manage one goal against NCAA transfer Hudson Stremmel. With 3:37 remaining in the first period and as part of a 3-on-2 breakaway, the Americans' first tally came when Adam Hughesman beat Stremmel high on the glove side. Seconds earlier, Prince George had gone in on a 2-on-1 chance vs. Drew Owsley. But, Tyler Schmidt was able to disrupt the play and breakout Hughesman and Brendan Shinnimin.

Tri-City then made it 2-0 with only 2:55 gone in the second period, as rookie Patrick Holland chipped in a backhander from Mason Wilgosh. For Holland, it was his first WHL goal.

Seemingly in control, the Americans gave the Cougars life by allowing two sloppy power play goals in a span of eight and a half minutes. With less than a minute remaining in the second period, the Cougars' first tally came when Parker Stanfield's shot glanced off the back of Owsley's right leg and barely slipped across the goal line. Then, at the 7:49 mark of the third period and while being screened by Del Cowen, Owsley let Jackson's shot from the right point get between his pads, knotting the game at 2.

Refusing to break, however, Owsley continued fighting in net, stopping several key shots down the stretch while keeping the Americans in position to win the game. At the 19:03 mark of the third period, opportunity knocked when Jackson was called for high sticking. Nearly half way through the power play, Brooks Macek sent a cross-ice pass to Drydn Dow and got Stremmel to commit in the process. Dow then found Messier waiting back door, who tapped in the game winner.

It was a disappointing way to conclude his WHL debut, as Stremmel finished the night with 34 saves and first-star honors in the loss. Owsley, meanwhile, collected 25 saves and moved into a tie for 10th on the Americans' all-time wins list (19) with Jeff Blair. Tri-City finished the night 1-for-4 on the power play, while Prince George was 2-for-4 on the man-advantage. The Americans also out shot the Cougars 37 to 27 in the contest.

The same two teams will do it again tomorrow, as the Americans and Cougars wrap-up their doubleheader weekend at CN Centre. Game time is 7:00 p.m. Prince George will be looking to win their first game vs. Tri-City since October 3, 2007. Meanwhile, Tri-City will try and keep their winning streak vs. the Cougars alive, as they shoot for win #8. Fans can catch all the action live, via WHL WebTV, at the Americans' home away from home, Kimo's Sports Café in Richland, at 7:00 p.m. The game will also be broadcast live on NewsTalk 870 AM, starting with the Sterling Savings Bank Warm-up Show at 6:45 p.m.

Applebee's 3 Stars:

1, Hudson Stremmel, Prince George

2, Dallas Jackson, Prince George

3, Drew Owsley, Tri-City

Check out the Tri-City Americans Statistics

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Western Hockey League Stories from October 31, 2009


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