KENNEWICK, WA - Tri-City Americans radio broadcaster Craig West summed up Friday nights win the best when he said that "going against Vancouver in previous years for Jim Hiller's squad was like David vs. Goliath. Well, David just found bigger rocks."Seven different players recorded goals and 13 players collected a point, as the Tri-City Americans (15-3-0-0, 30 pts) dominated the visiting Vancouver Giants (12-5-1-2, 27 pts) 8-2 in front of 4,805 fans at the Toyota Center in Kennewick. With the win, Tri-City remained unbeaten at home, moving to 7-0 on the year, while also taking a 2-0 lead in the four-game regular season series with the Giants. Meanwhile, Vancouver suffered their worst loss of the season, allowing eight goals against for the first time since Nov. 2, 2007, an 8-2 loss to Tri-City in Kennewick.
As former head coach of the Chilliwack Bruins, Hiller's squad faced off against the Giants 10 to 12 times a year, often finding themselves on the losing end to their division rivals. But, since arriving in Tri-City, Hiller's Americans are 2-0 against Vancouver, outscoring the Giants 13 to 5 in the process.
Playing their first home game in two weeks, the Americans kept their fans loud, scoring four times in the first period, breaking the game open. The first came just 2:31 into the contest, when Neal Prokop's shot glanced off the blocker of Vancouver starter Jamie Tucker. Two and a half minutes later, Jordan Messier hauled in a Prokop rebound and beat Tucker with a backhand, chasing him from the game. With 7:28 remaining in the period, Justin Feser scored to make it 3-0 followed five minutes later by Kruise Reddick's power play goal, giving the Americans a 4-0 lead headed into the first break.
Despite being outshot 14 to 3 in the second period, Tri-City scored twice more to pad their lead. Just 4:36 into the period, Brendan Shinnimin shelved a shot on back-up Brendan Jensen, sending the Tri-City faithful home with free burgers from Burger Ranch. However, nearly two minutes later, the Giants found a response, when Zach Hodder beat Drew Owsley with a shot from the point.
Ten minutes after his first goal of the night, Shinnimin was heard from again, this time connecting with Adam Hughesman to put the Americans back on top by five at 6-1.
Tri-City kept their foot on the gas entering the third period, as Hughesman tallied his 11th goal of the season 5:37 into the period. Then, with 8:58 left to play and on the power play, rookie Nils Moser knocked in his first WHL goal off a Cody Castro rebound. Vancouver's Brendan Gallagher notched his 10th goal of the year with 1:24 remaining in regulation, but it would be too little too late for the Giants.
Owsley, who made several key saves in the first period, paced Tri-City with 37 saves. The win, his 14th of the year, moved him into a tie with Blake Ward (21) for 9th on the Americans' all-time wins list. Meanwhile, Tucker played just 5:05, stopping 3 of the 5 shots he faced. Credited with the loss, Jensen collected 17 saves on 23 shots in relief.
The Americans' power play capitalized twice against the League's top-rated penalty kill, going 2-for-7 on the night. Meanwhile, Tri-City's penalty killers were a perfect 5-for-5. Vancouver finished the night with a 39 to 28 shot advantage.
Tri-City will get to sleep in their own beds for a couple more nights before they get back on the bus on Monday. Their next road trip takes them east, as they begin their swing through the Central Division, starting on Wednesday, November 11 when they take on the Medicine Hat Tigers. Game time is 6:00 p.m. (PST) at Medicine Hat Arena. It is the only regular season match-up between the two teams. The Americans took last year's lone match-up with the Tigers, a 3-0 win on Dec. 14 in Kennewick behind Owsley's first career shutout. Tri-City comes in having won two straight vs. Medicine Hat and holds a winning record at Medicine Hat Arena, compiling a record of 8-6-1-0 with 2 ties in 17 trips. Fans can catch all the action live, via WHL WebTV, at the Americans' home away from home, Kimo's Sports Café in Richland. The game will also be broadcast live on NewTalk 870 AM, starting with the Sterling Savings Bank Warm-up Show at 5:45 p.m. (PST).
Applebee's 3 Stars:
1, Brendan Shinnimin, Tri-City
2, Drew Owsley, Tri-City
3, Neal Prokop, Tri-City
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