Americans Outmuscle Cougars 4-1
Published on February 24, 2016 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Tri-City Americans News Release
Tri-City Americans Goaltender Nick Sanders Stonewalls the Prince George Cougars
(Tri-City Americans, Credit: John Allen, Arid Acres Photography)
Kennewick, WA - The Western Conference is getting a whole lot tighter as the 2015-16 season winds down. With 13 games left to play, the Americans are right in the thick of the 2016 WHL Playoffs race.
Jordan Topping scored twice, rookie Nick Sanders kicked aside 26 shots and the Tri-City Americans (29-27-2-1, 61 pts) muscled their way past the visiting Prince George Cougars (32-24-3-1, 68 pts) 4-1 in front of 2,626 fans at Toyota Center. With the win, just 8 points now separate 4th-9th in the conference, as the Americans pulled to within 2 points of idle Kamloops for a coveted Wild Card spot.
In a testy first period, it was the Americans who came out on top early. Less than a minute after a video review upheld a call that cost him a potential goal, Parker Bowles picked up his team-leading 35th goal of the season to put the Americans on top 1-0. Tri-City would get several chances throughout the period, outshooting Prince George 11 to 3, but Cougars' netminder, Ty Edmonds, kept his side in the game.
But, just 2:16 into the second period, and on the power play, Morgan Geekie notched his 9th goal of the season, putting Tri-City up 2-0. Again, Tri-City peppered Edmonds throughout the period, putting up another 16 shots, to Prince George's 9, but it remained a two-goal game after 40 minutes of play.
Topping picked up his first of two in the period, as Tri-City stretched their lead to 3-0 at 5:03 of the third period. But, the Cougars pushed hard to get back into the game and, with 6:46 left in the period, Chase Witala was finally able to solve Sanders, getting Prince George on the scoreboard. However, Topping sealed the game with an empty-netter with 1:31 left to play, as Tri-City capped the scoring at 4-1.
Sanders stopped 26 of the 27 shots he faced, while Edmonds collected 29 saves on 32 shots. Tri-City finished 1-for-3 on the power play, while also holding the Cougars scoreless on their three power play opportunities.
The Americans will continue their three-game homestand on Friday, February 26, when they host the Seattle Thunderbirds (33-23-3-0) at the Toyota Center. Game time is 7:05pm. The 10-game series is currently tied at 3-apiece, with Tri-City winning the most recent match-up, a 4-2 win in Kent on January 2. Tickets are on sale now at the Toyota Center box office or online at ticketmaster.com. For ticket specials, contact the Americans' office at (509) 736-0606.
Jack in the Box 3 Stars:
1. Parker Bowles, Tri-City
2. Dylan Coghlan, Tri-City
3. Brandon Carlo, Tri-City
Images from this story
 Tri-City Americans Goaltender Nick Sanders Stonewalls the Prince George Cougars (John Allen, Arid Acres Photography) |
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