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WHL Tri-City Americans

Americans Top Wild, 4-1

February 8, 2024 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Tri-City Americans News Release


The Americans earned a 4-1 victory as goaltender Lukas Matecha turned aside 53 shots from the Wenatchee Wild on Wednesday. It was Tri-City's first win at the Town Toyota Center in Wenatchee.

Jackson Smith took a hard shot from the blue line that was redirected in front of the net by Thomas Tien to put the Americans on the board first 12:47 into the game. Tri-City is 15-10 when scoring first this season and have won the last three times they've netted the first goal. The Americans held onto their 1-0 lead into intermission despite being outshot 13-6 through the first period.

Jake Sloan extended Tri-City's lead in the second period as he carried the puck through the slot and scored with a quick shot from the right circle to the far side top corner of the net. Wenatchee led shots again in the second period, 17-9, but Lukas Matecha stood strong in net holding on to Tri-City's 2-0 lead.

The Wild eventually broke past Matecha with a goal from Evan Friesen early in the final period.

Sloan quickly replied with the another goal for the Americans to restore their two-goal lead. His second goal of the night came on the power play as he cleaned up a rebound off another shot from Smith. It was Sloan's 18th goal of the season and second multi-goal game.

Smith, a 16-year-old defenseman, extends his point streak to four games with a pair of assists tonight. He has two goals and four assists over that period.

Tri-City added one more goal as Parker Bell and Brandon Whynott teamed up for a shorthanded marker. Bell recovered a turnover in Tri-City's zone and then sent a cross ice pass to Whynott, who scored with one-timer from the right circle.

Matecha turned aside 53 of 54 shots faced. Both numbers are career-highs for the 18-year-old goaltender in his WHL rookie season. Matecha, a Czech Republic native, was selected 99th overall in the 2023 CHL Import Draft by the Americans.

Tri-City held on for the 4-1 victory as they were outshot 54-24.

The Americans will resume action on Friday as they take on the Chiefs in Spokane. Their next home game is Tuesday as the Thunderbirds visit the Toyota Center.

When the Ams win on the road, you get free Jack in the Box curly fries back home! Show this coupon at the Kennewick Jack in the Box to redeem.

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Western Hockey League Stories from February 8, 2024


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