WHL Tri-City Americans

Americans edged by Oil Kings

January 12, 2024 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Tri-City Americans News Release


Despite a hat trick from Parker Bell, the Americans failed to find victory on Thursday as they fell 6-5 to the Oil Kings at Rogers Place.

It was Tri-City's first visit to Edmonton since November 11, 2019.

After a scoreless first period, the Oil Kings started the second frame on the power play after a late holding penalty on Max Curran. Edmonton capitalized on the opportunity with a goal from Gavin Hodnett to get on the board first. Ty Nash extended the Oil Kings lead to 2-0 just over a minute later. Max Curran took another penalty for the Americans, this time a high sticking call, Cole Miller scored to add another power play goal for Edmonton. The Oil Kings jumped out to a 3-0 lead.

The Americans hit their offensive stride late second period and came back to tie the game with three goals within 2:36.

A strong back check from Deagan McMillan forced a turnover in Edmonton's zone. Jordan Gavin took possession and sent a pass across the low slot to Nick Anisimovicz who scored to get the Americans on the board. The 17-year-old forward has goals in back-to-back games.

Oil Kings defenseman, and former Americans captain, Marc Lajoie took a cross checking penalty at 17:06 sending Tri-City to the power play. Sixteen-year-old defenseman Jackson Smith faked a slap shot, made a slick move skating through Ty Nash and Gracyn Sawchyn, and dangled through the slot before scoring over the blocker of Kolby Hay. Smith's goal put the Americans within one.

Just 24 seconds later, Parker Bell intercepted a pass from Lajoie in the neutral zone and skated past the Oil Kings defense into the slot. Bell scored with a hard wrist shot to tie the game for Tri-City.

The Americans led shots-on-goal 22-11 heading into the third period.

Edmonton regained the lead 5:30 into the final frame with a goal from Roan Woodward. Bell responded for the Americans mid-period as he scored off a feed from Ethan Peters to once again tie the game. The two teams continued to trade goals as Hodnett netted his second power play goal of the night at 13:06, giving the Oil Kings a 5-4 lead.

Down by one, Americans netminder Lukas Matecha was pulled for an extra attacker with two minutes remaining in the game. Marshall Finnie scored on the empty net to extend Edmonton's lead to 6-4.

But the Americans continued their offensive push and found the net once more as Bell scored his third of the night with 18 seconds remaining. It was the Calgary Flames prospect's first hat trick of the season and second of his WHL career.

Matecha returned to the Tri-City lineup tonight after missing six games. He turned aside 14 of 19 shots faced.

Tri-City has two games remaining on the Central Division road trip. They will play tomorrow in Red Deer and then wrap up the swing on Sunday in Calgary.

FINAL: 6-5 EDM

SHOTS: 38-25 EDM

Check out the Tri-City Americans Statistics



Western Hockey League Stories from January 12, 2024


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central