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Tri-City Americans

Five Goal Third Period Propels Cougars Past Americans

January 7, 2015 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Tri-City Americans News Release


Prince George, B.C.- The Tri-City Americans (18-19-0-2, 38 pts) had a 4-3 lead after two periods, but five goals from the Prince George Cougars (20-21-0-0, 38 pts) launched them to an 8-4 win on Tuesday night.

The Americans struck in the first minute of the game, as Beau McCue netted a goal 46 seconds into the game to put Tri-City up 1-0. Prince George scored a few minutes later, as Joseph Carvalho found the back of the net on the power play to even the game at one. Tri-City would regain the lead later in the period, as Taylor Vickerman scored his third goal of the season to give the Americans a 2-1 lead after the first period.

Early in the second period, Brad Morrison scored for Prince George to tie the game at two. The Cougars scored again 4:25 into the period, as Chase Witala gave Prince George the lead, 3-2. But the Americans bounced back, as Lucas Nickles scored a nice power play goal, cleaning up a rebound to knot the game at three. And it wasn't long before Tri-City retook the lead, as McCue notched his second goal of the game to put the Americans ahead once again, 4-3, heading into the third period.

Prince George was too much in the third period, as the flood gates opened with five goals. Zach Porchiro scored early in the third to tie the game at four, and four minutes later, the Cougars took the lead on a Colby McAuley goal. Midway through the third, goals from Sam Ruopp and Jari Erricson scored within two minutes of each other gave Prince George a 7-4 lead. Morrison scored his second goal a few minutes later, and the Cougars cruised to the 8-4 win.

Tri-City has dropped six straight road games and four games overall. They now fall two points behind Prince George for the final playoff spot. It is the Americans first loss of the season when leading after two periods, having previously won the 12 other games this season when leading going into the third period.

Beau McCue scored his 100th career point with a goal in the first period.

Tri-City was 1-of-3 on the power play and spent 19 minutes in the penalty box, while Prince George was 1-of-5 with the man advantage and recorded 25 minutes in the penalty box.

Evan Sarthou played 46:56 minutes and stopped 25-of-30 shots, and was replaced by Nicholas Sanders, who stopped 6-of-9 shots in just more than 13 minutes of action in his WHL debut. Ty Edmonds made 30 saves in the win.

The Americans will sleep in Prince George tonight as they will be right back at the CN Centre tomorrow night to face the Prince George Cougars. Game time is at 7 p.m. Listen to the game on NewsTalk 870 starting at 6:45 p.m. Watch the game on WHL Live starting at 7 p.m. or at Kimo's, your Americans home away from home.

Jack in the Box Three Stars

1. Brad Morrison, Prince George

2. Sam Ruopp, Prince George

3. Jared Bethune, Prince George

Check out the Tri-City Americans Statistics

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Western Hockey League Stories from January 7, 2015


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