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Tri-City Americans

Americans Fight Through Winterhawks 4-2

March 21, 2015 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Tri-City Americans News Release


Tri-City Americans vs. Portland Winterhawks
Tri-City Americans vs. Portland Winterhawks
(Tri-City Americans, Credit: John Allen)

Kennewick, WA- The Tri-City Americans (30-37-0-3, 63 pts) moved one step closer to making the playoffs, as they finally found a way to defeat the Portland Winterhawks (42-22-2-4, 90 pts), 4-2 in front of 4,780 at Toyota Center on Friday night.

The Americans got off to the start they wanted to, as Richard Nejezchleb dropped the puck off for Austyn Playfair, firing a shot that beat Adin Hill for a 1-0 lead. Less than two minutes later, the lead increased to 2-0 as Parker Wotherspoon fired a pass to Tyler Sandhu at the side of the net, tapping in the puck for the goal. Portland had the shot advantage in the period, 16-13, but Tri-City had the lead after one period.

Portland came out in the second and pressed to get a goal and get into the game. After Eric Comrie stopped the first 14 shots of the period, including some spectacular saves, Portland finally broke through, as Keegan Iverson found the back of the net to cut the lead to 2-1 after two periods.

Tri-City tried to close out the Winterhawks in the third, but Portland came back to tie the game eight minutes into the period. Miles Koules was able to get the puck past Comrie to even the score at two. Less than two minutes later, the Americans gained some momentum and took the lead again, as Sandhu scored his second of the game to push the Americans ahead, 3-2. Portland threw the kitchen sink at Comrie, but couldn't get anything by him as an empty net goal from Beau McCue sealed the win for Tri-City.

The Americans have clinched at least a play-in game for the WHL Playoffs with the win and a Kamloops loss tonight.

It was the first win for the Americans against the Winterhawks in nine meetings this season, with one more meeting in Portland scheduled for Sunday.

Both teams were unable to convert three power play chances each and spent eight minutes in the penalty box a piece.

Eric Comrie had another stellar performance, recording 43 saves in the win. The win moves him into second all-time with 84, passing Carey Price on the list. Adin Hill stopped 29 shots in the loss.

The Americans are right back in action tomorrow, Saturday, March 21, for the regular season home finale against the Spokane Chiefs (34-32-3-1, 72 pts) at Toyota Center. Game time is at 7:05 p.m. Spokane won the last meeting between the two teams, 5-2, at Spokane Arena on March 14. Tickets are on sale at all Ticketmaster locations, including the Toyota Center box office, at any Fred Meyer outlet or online at Ticketmaster.com.

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Tri-City Americans vs. Portland Winterhawks
Tri-City Americans vs. Portland Winterhawks
(John Allen)		 Tri-City Americans vs. Portland Winterhawks
Tri-City Americans vs. Portland Winterhawks
(John Allen)		  

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Western Hockey League Stories from March 21, 2015


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