WHL Tri-City Americans

Americans Reclaim First Despite 7-6 SO Loss to 'Tips

Published on October 29, 2008 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Tri-City Americans News Release


EVERETT, WA - On Tuesday night, not even a franchise-best six goals could get the Tri-City Americans a win at Comcast Arena.

Former American Daniel Bartek sent the game into overtime and rookie Kellan Tochkin scored the game-winner in a shootout, as the Everett Silvertips (7-6-1-0, 15 pts) defeated the visiting Tri-City Americans (10-3-0-1, 21 pts) 7-6 in front of 4,454 fans. With the second shootout win of the year, Everett ended their brief two-game slide. Meanwhile, with loss, the Americans fall to 6-12-1-3 with 3 ties (0.300 win %) at Comcast Arena during the regular season, which is their worst winning percentage in the division. The loss also snapped Tri-City's five-game winning streak and gave them their first shootout loss of the season. However, with Spokane idle tonight, the shootout point moves the Americans back into first-place in the U.S. Division.

When these two teams met just four days prior, they combined for one goal on 67 shots. However, in Round 2, offense was not hard to come by as the two clubs combined for 12 goals, including seven in the first period alone, on 71 shots.

And, at 2:37 of the first period, it was the 'Tips who got the ball rolling, as forward Ryan White tallied Everett's first goal. Nearly four minutes later, Tri-City responded with a power play goal off the stick of defenseman Tyler Schmidt. It was Schmidt's third goal of the season and second in as many games. However, midway through the period, Everett jumped out to a 3-1 lead after goals from Tochkin and Byron Froese. But, 1:28 later, Tri-City's Adam Hughesman cut the deficit in half when he converted on an Everett turnover.

With 1:05 remaining in the first period, Everett's Shane Harper put the 'Tips back on top by two. But, just 25 seconds later, Jason Reese netted his 10th goal of the season to pull Tri-City to within one, at 4-3 headed into the first intermission.

Just 1:34 into the second period and on the power play, Everett went ahead by two, again, after Graham Potuer beat Tri-City goaltender Chet Pickard. And again, Tri-City responded quickly, this time just 23 seconds later, as Johnny Lazo made it a 5-4 game. Then, midway through the period, the Americans tied the game at 5 after Taylor Procyshen beat rookie goaltender Kent Simpson, who replaced starter Shayne Barrie to start the period.

Late in the third period, Tri-City finally took their first lead of the contest. At the 14:59 mark, rookie Brendan Shinnimin, who moments before had been knocked to the ice, stuffed in a Mason Wilgosh shot and put the Americans on top 6-5. But, the lead would not hold, as Bartek registered his team-leading eighth goal of the season, from his knees and on the power play, with 2:20 remaining in regulation.

Tri-City outshot the Silvertips 5-1 during the five-minute overtime, but Simpson made several key saves to send the contest into a shootout. Once into the shootout, both teams went scoreless through the first three rounds before Tochkin finally beat Pickard inside the right post. Simpson then faced-off against Procyshen, who was stopped on a backhanded attempt, giving Everett the win. Simpson finished the night stopping 25 of 28 shots in 45 minutes of action, while Pickard collected 26 saves on 32 shots in the loss.

With yet another shootout, Tri-City has had three of their last four games decided in the shootout, going 2-1. However, the loss tonight dropped the Americans to 1-4 all-time in the shootout against Everett.

The Americans will now turn their attention to their looming date with the B.C. Division-leading Vancouver Giants. The top two teams in the Western Conference will square off tomorrow, Wednesday, October 29 at Pacific Coliseum in British Columbia. Game time is 7:00 p.m. Last season, Tri-City won the four-game series 3-1 and is 6-2 in their last eight meetings with the Giants. The Americans have won three of their last four games in Vancouver and are 5-8-0-0 with three ties all-time at Pacific Coliseum. You can catch all the action live on NewsTalk 870 AM, starting with the Sterling Savings Bank Warm-up Show at 6:45 p.m.

Check out the Tri-City Americans Statistics

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Western Hockey League Stories from October 29, 2008


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