Americans Head to Christmas Break with Back-To-Back Wins
December 20, 2021 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Tri-City Americans News Release
The Tri-City Americans wrapped up a three-in-three weekend tonight with a 6-5 victory over the Vancouver Giants. The Americans picked up five total points this weekend with a victory against Victoria last night and an overtime loss to the Royals on Friday.
The Giants got on the board first tonight as Adam Hill picked up a rebound and snuck it past Americans netminder Tomas Suchanek with 61 seconds remaining in the first period.
Tri-City tied the game just 23 seconds into the second frame as Connor Bouchard redirect a shot from Ben Feenan in the slot. The goal was Bouchard's third of the season, Lajoie also received an assist.
Less than a minute later, 16-year-old defenseman Lukas Dragicevic scored with a wrist shot from the right point to give the Americans a 2-1 lead. The goal, Dragicevic's fourth of the season, was assisted by Sam Huo and Dwayne Jean Jr.
Tri-City held on to their one-goal lead until the 8:57 mark when the Giants tied the game, once again with a goal from Hill. Vancouver took a 3-1 lead 13:21 into the period when Kaden Kohle scored on a penalty shot opportunity.
Petr Moravec added one last second period goal to tie the game for the Americans heading into intermission. The 18-year-old native of the Czech Republic beat Giants netminder Will Gurski will a quick forehand-backhand move.
Dragicevic received the lone assist on Moravec's goal. Since returning from Hockey Canada's Capital City Challenge, Dragicevic has scored three goals and added seven assists for ten points through eight games played.
The flurry of goals continued into the final frame.
Tri-City regained the lead 7:08 into the period with a goal from Tyson Greenway. Ian Ferguson fed a centering pass to Greenway who deked past Gurski and slipped the puck into the net backhand. Greenway now has goals in three straight games.
Two minutes later the Giants scored 4-on-4 to tie the game. The goal came as a deflection from Cole Shepard.
10:50 into the third period, the Ams regained the lead for the final time tonight with a goal scored off the rush from Sam Huo. Tyson Greenway and Ben Feenan assisted the goal. Feenan had his first ever multi-point game with two assists tonight.
Marc Lajoie added an empty net goal with 1:37 remaining in the game to put the Americans up 6-4. Ethan Semeniuk put the Giants within a goal as he scored in the final minute but Tri-City held on and took a final 6-5 victory.
The Americans will head to Christmas break with back-to-back wins and return on December 28 to take on the Winterhawks in Portland.
Score: 6-5 TC
Shots: 34-30 VAN
When the Americans win on the road, you get free Jack in the Box curly fries back home.
Western Hockey League Stories from December 20, 2021
- Victoria Royals Announce New COVID-19 Restrictions - Victoria Royals
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- ICE Reassign Mettimano & Woo - Winnipeg Ice
- Cougars Sign Tyson Buczkowski to a WHL Standard Player Agreement - Prince George Cougars
- Rebels Netminder Ungar Named WHL Goaltender of the Week - Red Deer Rebels
- Rangers Prospect Korczak Named WHL Player of the Week - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Rebels Netminder Ungar Named WHL Goaltender of the Week - WHL
- Rangers Prospect Korczak Named WHL Player of the Week - WHL
- Blades Ink 2006-Born Netminder Evan Gardner - Saskatoon Blades
- Americans Head to Christmas Break with Back-To-Back Wins - Tri-City Americans
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