WHL Tri-City Americans

Americans' Home-Winning Streak Hits 10 Games

Published on March 11, 2007 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Tri-City Americans News Release


KENNEWICK, WA - Over their past two games, the Tri-City Americans have been playing uninspired hockey. Exemplified by last night's 5-2 loss in Spokane, the Americans were in search of a must-win game as the Canadian Hockey League's top-ranked team came to Kennewick.

The Tri-City Americans (42-23-1-1, 86 pts) responded with an energetic effort and, backed by Joel Broda's three-point night, extended their home winning streak to 10 games, as they downed the Everett Silvertips (53-13-1-2, 109 pts) 5-3 in front of 5,215 fans at the Toyota Center. With the win, the Americans move four points over idle third-place Seattle for the race for home-ice advantage in the first-round of the WHL Play-offs. As well, Tri-City is now 3-4 in the eight-game series with the 'Tips, with the home team having won all seven games. The two teams will conclude the series on Friday, March 16 at the Toyota Center.

Starting goaltenders Carey Price and David Reekie had rough starts to the contest, as the two teams gave up early goals. At the 4:27 mark of the first period, Tri-City benefited first. Taylor Procyshen put a wrist shot over Reekie's left shoulder on the Americans' second shot on goal. For Procyshen, it was his career-best 31st goal of the season and his fourth goal in his last four games.

But, the 'Tips responded by means of their always-dangerous power play. Everett recorded two goals on the man-advantage on their first two shots of the game. At the 6:15 mark, Everett's Lukas Vartovnik picked up his 10th goal of the season after crisp passes from teammates Dane Crowley and Brandon Campos. Then, nearly nine minutes later and on the power play, Everett's Shane Harper collected his third goal of the season to put the 'Tips up 2-1 going into the first intermission.

At the 7:23 mark of the second period, Broda tied the game at 2 when he registered his 12th goal of the season. Then, with 1:39 remaining in the period, defenseman Roman Teslyuk let a slap shot go from the mid-point that beat Reekie glove-side to give Tri-City the lead at 3-2 headed into the third period.

However, the 'Tips continued to battle and knotted the game at 3-all at the 3:32 mark of the third period. Everett's Dan Gendur recorded his 21st goal of the season after the puck deflected off of Tri-City's T.J. Fast's stick and past Price.

But, Tri-City had the answer in Kruise Reddick. Reddick registered the game-winning goal, and an insurance goal, to lift Tri-City to the victory. At the 4:31 mark of the period, Reddick beat Reekie after the puck was redirected off of Everett defenseman Jason Fransoo's stick. Then, with 9:35 remaining in regulation, Reddick struck again for his eighth goal of the season. Reddick managed to slip the puck between Reekie's right leg and the post to put Tri-City ahead 5-3. Price finished the night with 17 saves on 20 shots faced, while Reekie picked up 31 saves on the 36 shots he saw. Everett went 2-for-7 on the power play, while Tri-City was held scoreless at 0-for-6.

Tri-City will now turn their attention to Kelowna, who will visit the Toyota Center tomorrow, Sunday, March 11. Game time is 5:05 PM. The Rockets, who are two points back of Chilliwack for the final play-off spot in the B.C. Division, are 0-and-3 against Tri-City this season and will look to avoid being swept in the four-game regular season series. Elsewhere on Sunday, Americans fans will be keeping an eye on the Key Arena, where Chilliwack will tackle Seattle. You can catch all the action this Sunday, and all season long, at the Toyota Center in Kennewick as well as live on NewsTalk 870 AM. The broadcast starts with the Budweiser Warm-Up Show, which begins 15 minutes before game time. Game tickets are available through all TicketsWest outlets, including Red Lion Hotels, by calling 1-800-325-SEAT (7328), or by visiting the Americans website at www.amshockey.com.

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Western Hockey League Stories from March 11, 2007


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