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Tri-City Americans

Sarthou Earns First Shutout of the Season with 2-0 Win over Kootenay

February 11, 2016 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Tri-City Americans News Release


Cranbrook, B.C. - The Tri-City Americans (25-25-2-1, 53 pts) began their 4 game road trip with a defensive win, 2-0, over the Kootenay Ice (9-41-4-0, 22 pts) in front of 1,877 fans at the Western Financial Place Arena in Cranbrook, B.C. on Wednesday night. This was the first and only meeting between the teams this year. While Kootenay has struggled most of the season, the Americans knew they could not take this team lightly as the Ice beat the Eastern Conference leading Lethbridge Hurricanes 2-0 in their last meeting.

If you're a fan of a goaltending battle, then this game was for you. The Americans peppered Kootenay goalie Wyatt Hoflin with 13 shots in the first but the Ice goalie stood firm. Tri-City finished the period on a power play after Tanner Lishchynsky was called for tripping. The chances were there for the Americans, but once again, Hoflin stood strong for Kootenay and the Ice were able to keep the Americans 2nd ranked power play from scoring.

The Americans came out strong in the 2nd firing off the first 5 shots of the period, but were still left empty-handed. 4:55 into the period, the Americans 14th ranked penalty killing unit went to work against the Ice's last ranked power play as Austyn Playfair was called for interference. Tri-City stood strong and kept the Ice off of the scoreboard. A few minutes after killing off the penalty, Tri-City had a chance of their own as Morgan Geekie was taken down on a breakaway to the net. Geekie was awarded the penalty shot but Ice goaltender Hoflin once again stood his ground and denied Geekie. Late in the period, Tyler Sandhu was knocked down by Lishchynsky along the boards in the Kootenay end. Michael Rasmussen took exception. After both players exchanged a few punches, it was Rasmussen who took the misconduct and instigator penalty in addition to the five for fighting awarded to both players. Kootenay would begin the 3rd period on their 2nd power play of the night. The Americans outshot the Ice 18-11 in the 2nd.

The Ice would be the team that came out firing in the 3rd period. Kootenay outshot the Americans 14-11 in the final frame including a great chance for Roman Dymacek who would miss an empty net early. Evan Sarthou was beat outside of his crease as the puck went behind him, but Dymacek was unable to convert. It was Vladislav Lukin who would break the scoreless tie midway through the 3rd. After Ice player Cale Fleury fell down defending an Americans rush, Tri-City was left with an odd-man chance. Parker Bowles made a bullet pass to Lukin who fired into a wide open Kootenay net. It was Lukin's 17th goal of the season with Bowles getting his 42nd assist. With 2:51 left in the game, the Ice would get their 3rd power play opportunity of the game as Beau McCue was called for tripping. Kootenay had some great chances, but after Matt Alfaro was called for a roughing penalty, play returned to even strength with 4 players aside. The Ice pulled Hoflin for the extra attacker late, but about 30 seconds after McCue's penalty expired, he assisted on Bowles's 30th goal of the season. Jordan Topping also collected his 29th assist on the empty net power play goal for the Americans. The Americans went 1-for-2 on the power play while Kootenay was 0-for-3 with the man advantage

Hoflin stopped 40 of 41 shots he faced in the loss while Sarthou stopped all 28 shots he faced to earn his 1st shutout of the season.

The Americans will hop back on the bus and travel east for their next game on Friday night against the Lethbridge Hurricanes (38-16-0-0, 76 pts) at the Enmax Center in Lethbridge, AB. This is the only meeting between these 2 teams this season. Game time is 5:00 (PST) and you can listen to the game on NewsTalk 870, or watch the game through WHL Live or at Kimo's, your Americans home away from home.

Jack in the Box Three Stars

1. Wyatt Hoflin, Kootenay

2. Evan Sarthou, Tri-City

3. Vladislav Lukin, Tri-City

Check out the Tri-City Americans Statistics

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Western Hockey League Stories from February 11, 2016


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