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WHL Tri-City Americans

Americans Hold off Rockets, Hold on to Playoff Hopes

March 14, 2016 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Tri-City Americans News Release


Tri-City Americans Defenseman Juuso Välimäki
Tri-City Americans Defenseman Juuso Välimäki
(Tri-City Americans, Credit: Doug Love)

Kennewick, WA - The Americans took down the defending WHL Champions on Sunday night and, in the process, maintained their playoff hopes heading into the final weekend of the regular season.

Six different skaters scored, including Juuso VÓ"limÓ"ki's game-winner with 6.1 seconds left in the second period, as the Tri-City Americans (33-34-2-1, 69 pts) held off the visiting Kelowna Rockets (46-19-4-0, 96 pts) 6-4 in front of a rowdy 3,171 fans at Toyota Center. With Spokane idle, the Americans closed to within 2 points of a Wild Card spot. The Chiefs have two games in hand and will spend those on Tuesday and Wednesday in Seattle and Everett, while the Americans patiently wait and watch.

Tri-City jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period by outshooting the Rockets 14-8 through the first 20 minutes. At 8:07, Parker AuCoin got things started with his second goal in as many nights. Then, 1:12 later, Dylan Coghlan added his 4th goal of the season.

The first period gave way to a wild second period, which saw a combined 7 goals and 26 shots on goal. Kelowna quickly took the lead, scoring three times in the first 9 minutes. Goals from Calvin Thurkauf, Tanner Wishnowski and Tyson Baillie gave the Rockets a 3-2 leading headed into the media timeout.

With 4:24 left in the period, Tri-City knotted the game at 3 following a blast from Mackenze Stewart. Less than two minutes later, though, the Rockets retook the lead with Rourke Chartier's 24th goal of the season. But, Michael Rasmussen scored 30 seconds later, tying the game at 4. Then, with 6.1 seconds left in the period, and on the power play, VÓ"limÓ"ki's 7th goal of the season gave Tri-City the lead for good.

The Rockets peppered Evan Sarthou with another 14 shots in the third period, but the Tri-City netminder stood his ground. Meanwhile, with back-up Michael Herringer on the bench for the extra attacker, Jordan Topping capped the scoring with 45 seconds remaining in the contest.

Sarthou finished the game with 32 saves to record his 24th win of the season. Meanwhile, Brodan Salmond started in net for the Rockets, playing 40 minutes and collecting 21 saves on 26 shots. Herringer played the final period, registering 8 saves in relief.

In addition to scoreboard watching, the Americans will be preparing for their final two home games of the regular season. First up, Tri-City will play host to the Seattle Thunderbirds (42-23-3-0) on Friday, March 18 at Toyota Center. Game time is 7:05pm. Seattle has won the last three meetings with Tri-City and currently holds a 6-3 lead in the 10-game season series. Tickets are on sale now at the Toyota Center box office or online at ticketmaster.com.

Jack in the Box 3 Stars: 1. Parker AuCoin, Tri-City 2. Michael Rasmussen, Tri-City 3. Tyson Baillie, Kelowna

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Images from this story

Tri-City Americans C Parker AuCoin vs. the Kelowna Rockets
Tri-City Americans C Parker AuCoin vs. the Kelowna Rockets
( Steve Einan)		 Tri-City Americans Defenseman Juuso Välimäki
Tri-City Americans Defenseman Juuso Välimäki
(Doug Love)		  



Western Hockey League Stories from March 14, 2016


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