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Tri-City Americans

Guggenberger's 35 Saves Guide Rockets Past Americans 3-2

April 4, 2010 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Tri-City Americans News Release


KENNEWICK, WA - For the Americans, regardless of how their Conference Semi-Finals series with Kelowna turns out, Game 2 may be circled as the one that got away.

Despite another aggressive night of shots on Rockets goaltender Mark Guggenberger, the 20-year-old netminder held off the onslaught and guided the Kelowna Rockets (5-3-1, 10 pts) past the Tri-City Americans (5-2-1, 10 pts) 3-2 in front of 3,812 fans at the Toyota Center. With the win, the Rockets snapped their five-game losing streak to the Americans this season and evened the best-of-seven series at 1-game apiece. The series now shifts north of the border for Game 3, set for Tuesday, April 6. Game time is 7:00 p.m. at Prospera Place. 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 NewsTalk 870 AM, starting with the Sterling Savings Bank Warm-up Show at 6:45 p.m.

Guggenberger's mental state would be tested in the early goings of Game 2, as Tri-City scored just 2:36 into the contest. From the corner, Sergei Drozd threw the puck on net which got lodged under the goaltender. As Guggenberger searched for the puck, it popped loose and slowly trickled across the goal line to put the Americans on top 1-0. However, it would be the last he allowed until the final seconds of regulation.

Meanwhile, with 7:45 remaining in the first period, the Rockets' Evan Bloodoff passed the puck up to Jessey Astles, who then fired a shot on Tri-City netminder Drew Owsley. Owsley came up with the save but could not control the rebound, as the puck shot back out into the zone and right onto the stick of Spencer Main. With Owsley still down on the ice, Main was able to put back a shot before Owsley could react, tying the game at 1.

Just like in Game 1, the second period belonged to the Americans, as they outchanced the Rockets 15 to 8 over the next 20 minutes. However, similar to Friday's game, it proved to be a period of missed opportunities that would come back to haunt Tri-City. On at least two occasions, the Americans were able to break in on Guggenberger, only to come up empty while the game remained tied headed into the final period of play.

At the 6:18 mark of the third period and with the contest still hanging in the balance, it was the Rockets that were able to capitalize next, as Lucas Bloodoff gave Kelowna the lead for good. Then, the Rockets defense took over, suffocating the Americans' offense and forcing the Tri-City forwards to shoot from the perimeter while giving Guggenberger enough time to get in position and make the save. In the final minutes of play, however, Tri-City again missed out on two golden opportunities to tie the game. Instead, Adam Hughesman's shot went over the net and Brooks Macek had his redirect roll just wide as the Tri-City deficit remained at one.

Then, with 1:17 left in regulation and still looking for the equalizer, Tri-City head coach Jim Hiller pulled Owsley for the extra attacker. Unfortunately for the Americans, Dallas Jackson was able to clear the zone and get the puck up to Brandon McMillan, who shot the puck into the empty net from just inside the red line, putting Kelowna up 3-1.

There would be no quit for Tri-City, however, as Owsley would get pulled again and, with 3.9 seconds remaining in the game, Brendan Shinnimin notched a wrist shot to make it a 3-2 game. But, Kelowna was able to tie up the ensuing face-off at center ice and secure the victory.

After being peppered with 43 shots in Game 1, Guggenberger stopped 35 of the 37 shots he faced in Game 2 to earn the win. Meanwhile, Owsley finished with 25 saves in the tough luck loss. The contest featured just three minor penalties, with Tri-City going 0-for-2 on the power play while Kelowna was 0-for-1.

Applebee's 3 Stars:

1, Mark Guggenberger, Kelowna

2, Spencer Main, Kelowna

3, Mason Wilgosh, Tri-City

Check out the Tri-City Americans Statistics

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Western Hockey League Stories from April 4, 2010


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