Americans Take 6-5 Victory in Roller Coaster Game against Royals
December 19, 2021 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Tri-City Americans News Release
The Tri-City Americans showed resiliency tonight as they overcame a 4-2 deficient to defeat the Victoria Royals 6-5. This was the third and final game between the two teams this season, the Americans finish the season series against the Royals 1-0-2-0.
Tri-City got on the board first and early tonight with a goal from Sasha Mutala just 53 seconds into the game. Mutala swept in a rebound off a shot from Petr Moravec for his ninth goal of the season.
The Americans extended their lead to 2-0 minutes later with a goal from Rhett Melnyk. Parker Bell took a shot from the left circle that bounced of the leg of a Royals defenseman into the slot where Melnyk scored with a quick shot on a wide-open net.
Victoria followed with four straight goals to hold a 4-2 lead by the middle of the second period.
Bell scored with a backhand shot over Royals netminder Tyler Palmer to put the Americans within one. The goal came off a net-front pass from Deagan McMillan.
Just over a minute later Sam Huo tied the game with an impressive individual effort. The 20-year-old forward forced a turn over in the offensive zone and skated circles around Victoria's defense before finding open ice in the high slot where he scored with a quick wrist shot.
Victoria added their final goal of the night before the end of the second period to take a 5-4 lead into the final frame.
Tri-City once again tied the game 7:35 into the period with a goal from Mutala, his second of the night and tenth of the season. Mutala deflected a Lukas Dragicevic shot from the blue line around the Royals netminder.
The game-changing moment came 9:03 into the third period as Royals leading scorer Bailey Peach took a double-minor for high-sticking Americans forward Connor Bouchard. After struggling on the power play against Victoria, the Americans were finally able to cash in on the man-advantage as Tyson Greenway redirected a shot from Dragicevic for tonight's game-winning goal.
Tri-City out shot Victoria 39-38. Nick Avakyan stopped 33 of 38 shots faced.
The Americans will head to Vancouver and take on the Giants tomorrow in a 2:00 matchup for their final game before the Christmas break.
Final: 6-5
Shots: 39-38
When the Americans win on the road, you get free Jack in the Box curly fries back home.
Western Hockey League Stories from December 19, 2021
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- Hitmen Fall to Rebels in Overtime - Calgary Hitmen
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- Chiefs Close out First Half on Road against Everett Silvertips - Spokane Chiefs
- Silvertips Ink Third-Round Pick Jesse Heslop to Standard Player Agreement - Everett Silvertips
- Americans Take 6-5 Victory in Roller Coaster Game against Royals - Tri-City Americans
- Hanas, Stefan Combine for Must-Watch Goal in 4-1 Victory - Portland Winterhawks
- T-Birds Fall in Everett - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Cougars See Streak End at Vancouver - Prince George Cougars
- Royals Lose to Americans in High-Scoring Affair - Victoria Royals
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- Shorthanded Silvertips Power Past Thunderbirds in 4-1 Home Win - Everett Silvertips
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