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WHL Tri-City Americans

Americans Serve Up 5-2 Comeback Victory Over 'Tips

February 21, 2009 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Tri-City Americans News Release


KENNEWICK, WA - One night after they enjoyed the menu at Burger Ranch themselves, the Americans decided to treat 4,600 of their closest friends.

Led by three rookies, the Tri-City Americans (41-16-0-3, 85 pts) notched four unanswered goals in the third period to come back and beat the visiting Everett Silvertips (25-27-7-2, 59 pts) 5-2 in front of 4,668 fans at Toyota Center. By scoring five goals at home, Burger Ranch in Kennewick is offering a free burger to each of them, providing they turn in their game ticket. With the win, the Americans have now won three straight and improve their home record to 26-4-0-1. Tri-City also increased their lead in the division-title race to four points over the Spokane Chiefs, who fell 3-0 in Seattle. The two will meet tomorrow night in Kennewick. Meanwhile, the 'Tips wrap-up the season with a 0-5 record at Toyota Center; the two clubs will finish their 10-game season series next Friday in Everett.

On Thursday, Burger Ranch hosted four players at their Kennewick location, including Mitch Fadden, Brendan Shinnimin, Brooks Macek and Lane Werbowski. Coincidentally, three of the four players scored to lead the Americans in the comeback victory.

Despite outshooting the 'Tips 14 to 6 through the first 20 minutes, it was Everett who took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission. With 6:57 remaining in the period and on the power play, Shane Harper buried his team-high 28th goal of the season, putting the 'Tips on top first.

Just 2:10 into the second period, Tri-City responded. After his initial shot rang off the post, Macek knocked in a Riley McIntosh rebound, giving the rookie his sixth goal on the year. Three of Macek's six goals have come against Everett.

But, with 5:44 remaining in the period and on the penalty kill, Everett's Jesse Burt intercepted a Tri-City pass and broke in on Chet Pickard all alone. Burt later beat Pickard for just his fourth goal of the season, as Everett retook the lead, 2-1, going into the final period of play.

With just two come-from-behind victories to their credit this season when trailing after two periods of play, it was Fadden who got things started for #3.

Only 1:23 into the final period, Fadden ripped a shot from the right circle, over the glove of Kent Simpson, tying the game at 2. For Fadden, it was his third goal in as many nights, who also has points in 10 of his last 11 games.

Five and a half minutes later and during a scramble in front of Simpson, Brett Plouffe got the puck between Simpson's pads, giving Tri-City the lead for good. Then, just over seven minutes later, Jordan Messier connected for his eighth of the season.

With 4:00 remaining in regulation, head coach Don Nachbaur used Tri-City's only timeout and, at that time, Everett coach, John Becanic, opted to pull Simpson for the extra attacker. But, with less than a second remaining, Mason Wilgosh was able to break out Shinnimin, who buried the empty netter a split-second before the horn sounded.

Pickard, who collected his second-straight 30-win season, stopped 23 of the 25 shots he faced. Meanwhile, Simpson picked up 36 saves in the tough-luck loss. Tri-City finished the night 0-for-5 on the power play, while Everett was 1-for-3 on the man-advantage.

With Friday's game behind them, Tri-City can now focus on Saturday's match-up with the Chiefs. Game time is 7:05 p.m. at Toyota Center. One of the hotter teams in the League coming into Saturday's tilt, Spokane has taken the last two match-ups with Tri-City, including a 2-1 shootout victory in their last appearance in Kennewick back on January 17. Starting with Saturday's game, the two rivals, who have not faced-off in nearly a month, will play each other four times over the final four weeks of the regular season. Tickets are available through all Ticketmaster outlets, including all Fred Meyer outlets, the Toyota Center box office, or online at ticketmaster.com. Those unable to make it to the game, can catch the live television broadcast on My Network 280, courtesy of KVEW-TV. And, as always, fans can catch all the action live on NewsTalk 870 AM, starting with the Sterling Savings Bank Warm-up Show at 6:45 p.m.

U.S. Cellular Three Stars:

1, Mitch Fadden, Tri-City

2, Brooks Macek, Tri-City

3, Jarrett Toll, Tri-City

Taylor Procyshen's 'Go Pro' MDA Challenge Update:

After 60 games, Tri-City has recorded 222 goals = $888

If you would like to join Taylor's MDA Challenge, contact the Americans office at 509.736.0606 and ask how you can contribute.

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Western Hockey League Stories from February 21, 2009


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