
Americans Fall, 5-1, On The Road To Chiefs
March 16, 2025 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Tri-City Americans News Release
Spokane, WA - The Tri-City Americans (31-26-6-1) were hanging tough against the Spokane Chiefs (44-19-1-1) Saturday night, thanks to Ryan Grout's performance in the Americans crease, but Spokane scored three goals in the third period to pull away with a 5-1 win.
The game had a solid back-and-forth start before the Chiefs scored twice in quick succession. Asanali Sarkenov had the puck in the slot and saw his first shot on goal blocked but was able to gather his own rebound and fire it over the glove of Grout to open the scoring 9:59 into the game.
Just over a minute later Andrew Cristall finished off a two-on-one rush for Spokane, giving the Chiefs a 2-0 lead with the goals coming 67 seconds apart. The Americans called their 30-second timeout following the goal.
The Chiefs carried their 2-0 lead into the intermission, outshooting Tri-City 13-8. Early in the middle frame the Americans cut the lead in half with a power play goal.
Max Curran took a drop pass in his own zone before firing it ahead to Brandon Whynott on left wing. Whynott took the pass and immediately slid it forward for Jackson Smith who was streaking down the middle into the Spokane zone.
Smith took the pass and skated in on a breakaway, beating Dawson Cowan over the glove for his seventh goal of the season 4:31 into the period. Curran's assist was the 100th point of his WHL career.
Spokane heavily outshot Tri-City 17-4 in the second period, but Grout stood tall in the Americans net as the period ended with the Americans trailing 2-1.
The Chiefs kept pouring on the pressure to open the third period and a failed clearing attempt by the Americans ended up costing them.
Brayden Crampton eventually got the puck at the blue line and let a long wrist shot go that deflected Rasmus Ekstrom and past the blocker of Grout, restoring Spokane's two-goal lead 3:24 into the third.
A little over two minutes later Nathan Mayes skated along the goal line before lifting a backhand shot from in tight over the shoulder of Grout to push Spokane's lead to 4-1.
Tri-City struggled to generate offense in the final period, sending just five shots towards Cowan over the final 20 minutes of the game.
Mathis Preston rounded out the scoring with a power play goal in the final minute of play as the Chiefs took the game by a 5-1 final score.
The Americans now wrap up their three-in-three weekend by hosting the Seattle Thunderbirds (26-33-4-1) Sunday afternoon for a 4:05 puck drop at the Toyota Center.
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Western Hockey League Stories from March 16, 2025
- Americans start slow, fall 5-1 to Thunderbirds - Tri-City Americans
- Chiefs Drop Tense Nailbiter to WHL-Best Everett, 2-1 - Spokane Chiefs
- Blades Score Three in the Third, Defeat Pats 4-0 - Regina Pats
- Edmonton Foils Hitmen Sunday - Calgary Hitmen
- Oil Kings Offense Comes Alive in Victory over Hitmen - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Chiefs Face Silvertips for Last Time of the Season Sunday Night - Spokane Chiefs
- Preview: Oil Kings Visit Hitmen One More Time in Regular Season - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Four-Goal Second Period Powers Portland to 6-1 Win Over Seattle - Portland Winterhawks
- Kids Shine in Tight Loss to Broncos - Regina Pats
- Warriors Fall in Extra Time to the Wheat Kings - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Rockets Fall 4-1 To Blazers On Saturday Night - Kelowna Rockets
- Broncos Back in the Win Column After 7-5 Win in Regina - Swift Current Broncos
- Friesen Scores Two Again, But Prince George Takes 5-3 Decision Saturday - Wenatchee Wild
- Giants Erase 3-0 Deficit, But Royals Score Lone 3rd Period Goal to Win 4-3 - Vancouver Giants
- Tigers Maul Rebels 7-3 - Medicine Hat Tigers
- T-Birds Falter in Portland - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Preview: Americans vs Thunderbirds - March 16, 2025 - Tri-City Americans
- Americans Fall, 5-1, On The Road To Chiefs - Tri-City Americans
- No Luck Needed as Chiefs Dominate Americans 5-1 on Saint Paddy's - Spokane Chiefs
- Holinka Scores Lone Goal as Oil Kings Fall to Raiders - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Tips Cut Magic Number to One with 3-2 Win in Spokane - Everett Silvertips
- Division Champs Tips Earn 10th U.S. Title with 5-3 Win Over Portland - Everett Silvertips
- Game Day Hub: March 16 vs. Vancouver - Portland Winterhawks
- Cougars Sweep Weekend With 5-3 Win Over Wild - Prince George Cougars
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Other Recent Tri-City Americans Stories
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- Charlie Elick signs Amateur Tryout Contract with AHL's Cleveland Monsters
- Max Curran nominated for WHL Scholastic Player of the Year

