WHL Tri-City Americans

Americans Edge Wild, 2-1

October 18, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Tri-City Americans News Release


Kennewick, WA - The Tri-City Americans hosted their newest division rivals, the Wenatchee Wild, at the Toyota Center Wednesday night, and kicked off the rivalry with a 2-1 win.

The Americans got things started 8:18 into the game when Max Curren scored his first career WHL goal. Andrew Fan gained the Wenatchee line with speed on the left wing before dropping the puck for Curren and heading straight toward the net.

Fan's speed forced the Wild defender to back up and give Curren space to skate down the wing before firing a wrist shot over the glove of a screened Daniel Hauser to open the scoring. Americans captain Alex Serraglio picked up the second assist on the goal.

Despite a late power play in the period, Tri-City was unable to add to the lead as the two teams went into the locker room with the home side leading 1-0. Shots read 9-8 Wild after 20 minutes.

Lukas Matecha held down the fort in the Americans' crease during the second period, coming up with a number of big saves to keep his team ahead 1-0. One of those saves led to Tri-City's second goal of the night.

After Matecha made a save at one end, the Americans took off on the rush toward the Wild net. Parker Bell gained the line before sliding the puck to Deagan McMillan on the left wing, McMillan took the pass and snapped a shot past the glove of Hauser to give the Americans a 2-0 lead with 8:18 remaining in the period.

Wenatchee cut into the Americans lead before the period was up. A long shot from the blue line by Miles Cooper made it's way through traffic in front of the net and past the blocker hand of Matecha to make it a 2-1 game before the intermission.

While both teams had power play opportunities in the third period, including the Americans receiving a man advantage with just over two minutes left in regulation, neither team could take advantage as the clock wound down.

Wenatchee pulled Hauser for the extra attacker while shorthanded, and while Tri-City had a few looks at the empty net, they were able to still hang on for the 2-1 victory. Final shots on net were 29-28 Wenatchee.

The next game action for the Americans comes Friday night when they play host to the Kelowna Rockets at 7:05.

Check out the Tri-City Americans Statistics



Western Hockey League Stories from October 18, 2023


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