WHL Tri-City Americans

Americans Sweep Rockets Behind Lazo's Second Hat Trick

December 6, 2009 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Tri-City Americans News Release


KELOWNA, BC - Johnny Lazo went 82 games between his first two WHL hat tricks. It took him less than 24 hours to get #3.

Lazo and Justin Feser combined for five goals on the night, leading the Tri-City Americans (21-8-0-0, 42 pts) to a 5-1 victory over the Kelowna Rockets (15-15-1-0, 31 pts) in front of 6,121 fans at Prospera Place. With the win, the Americans sweep the four-game regular season series with the Rockets for the third time in the last four seasons, outscoring Kelowna 20 to 5 this season. Lazo, now with 54 career goals, moved passed Sean Lebrun for 30th on the Americans' all-time goals scored list and already sits among the Americans' top-30 all-time scorers. Meanwhile, the loss snapped the Rockets' brief two-game winning streak.

In what is becoming somewhat of a trademark in their victories this season, Tri-City used another quick score to grab the lead they never relinquished. Just 1:17 into the game, Lazo connected on the power play to put the Americans up 1-0. Ten minutes later and while playing four on four, Feser notched his first and sent Tri-City into the first break up by two.

Lazo wrapped up the hat trick in the second period, as he scored twice in a span of 90 seconds. After Brendan Shinnimin sent him in on a breakaway, Lazo's second goal came after he lifted a backhander just under the cross bar. Then, just past the midway point of the period and playing shorthanded, it was Shinnimin and Lazo again, this time as part of a 2-on-1. Shinnimin led Lazo just enough for him to get his stick on the puck and direct it past Kelowna starter, Adam Brown. Brown eventually gave way to back-up Chad Ketting in the third period, finishing the night with 23 saves on 27 shots faced.

Nearly eight minutes into the third period, Tri-City notched another shorthanded goal, this time off the stick of Feser. A poor attempt to play the puck behind his own net led Ketting to turn over the puck to Lazo. Lazo then found a hustling Feser, who buried his 14th goal of the season and made it 5-0.

With 10:27 remaining in regulation, Kelowna ended Drew Owsley's attempt at a second straight shutout. While on the power play, Tyler Matheson tipped in a Tyson Barrie rebound, providing the only blemish on Owsley's night who finished with 21 saves.

Both squads missed opportunities on the power play, as Tri-City went 1-for-6 on the man-advantage and Kelowna finished 1-for-9. The Americans out shot the Rockets on the night 33 to 22.

Now 10-1 against B.C. Division foes this season, Tri-City will look to continue their dominance over their Conference rivals on Wednesday, December 9 when they welcome the Prince George Cougars to the Toyota Center. Game time is 7:05 p.m. The Americans currently lead the four-game regular season series 2-0 after a pair of victories at CN Centre in late October. Tri-City enters Wednesday's match-up having won their last eight meetings with the Cougars and 15 of their last 16. The Cougars meanwhile, who play in Spokane on Tuesday, have currently lost eight of their last 10 games. Tickets are available through all Ticketmaster outlets, including the Toyota Center box office, all Fred Meyer outlets, or online at ticketmaster.com. The game will also be broadcast live on NewsTalk 870 AM, starting with the Sterling Savings Bank Warm-up Show at 6:45 p.m.

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