WHL Tri-City Americans

Americans Win 3 of 4 on the Road with 3-1 Decision in Edmonton

Published on February 15, 2016 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Tri-City Americans News Release


EDMONTON, AB. The Tri-City Americans (27-26-2-1, 57 pts) finished off their biennial road trip through the WHL's Central Division with a win Monday afternoon against the Edmonton Oil Kings (24-26-6-1, 55 pts) in front of 10,812 fans at Rexall Place. The Americans went 4-2 against Central Division teams this season, but more importantly they continue to move closer to claiming that 8th and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

When you're the road team in the midst of a long trip, in terms of both duration and distance, it can take some time to find your flow to start off games. Just like 2 of the previous 3 games on this trip (02/10 vs. Kootenay and 02/13 vs. Red Deer) the Americans skated to a scoreless tie after the first period. Both Tri-City and Edmonton received one power play chance each in the period, but neither was able to convert. Shots were tied at six a side after twenty minutes.

Scoring would open up for both teams in the 2nd. Linemates Parker Bowles, Jordan Topping, and Tyler Sandhu have been hot lately...really hot. Things were no different in this game. Parker Bowles scored his 32nd goal of the season at the 4:00 mark of the 2nd. Topping started the play with a feed from behind the net to Sandhu who then fed Bowles in front to finish off the tick-tack-toe pass and score. Edmonton would keep this one close in the closing minutes of the 2nd as Davis Koch scored his 5th of the season after completing a 2-on-1 chance. The game would head to the 2nd intermission tied at 1. Colton Kehler of the Oil Kings was assessed a kneeing penalty at the 19:53 mark of the period and the Americans would start the final frame on their 3rd power play of the game. Tri-City outshot Edmonton 12-9 in the 2nd.

The Americans came out of the gate in the 3rd with their foot on the gas. The rollover penalty to Kehler gave Tri-City the opportunity for some incredible offensive chances in the Edmonton zone. They had 3 shots on goal early and some real quality chances, but Edmonton goalie Patrick Dea kept his team in it by stopping all of those shots. 20 seconds after the penalty expired, Edmonton was given a golden opportunity as Lukin was called for high-sticking. However, Maxwell James had other plans. James skated across the Edmonton line on a breakaway and buried a perfect wrist shot to Dea's glove side for his 3rd goal of the season. The Americans are now tied for 3rd in the league with 10 shorthanded goals on the year. Just under 9 minutes later, that red-hot line of Topping, Bowles, and Sandhu that we talked about earlier would strike again. This time it was Topping with his 24th goal of the season after scooping up a rebound off of Bowles' first chance shot. Sandhu was credited with the 2nd assist. That line finished off the road trip with 17 points (7g, 10a). Evan Sarthou stood firm and earned his 26th win of the season by stopping 26 of the 27 shots he faced. Dea stopped 25 of the 28 shots he faced for the loss.

The Americans' power play was 0-for-3 and the team recorded 6 penalty minutes. The Oil Kings were 0-for-2 with the man advantage and recorded 8 penalty minutes.

The Americans will travel home and a have a few days off before their next game on Friday night at the Toyota Center in Kennewick, where the ice will be painted pink for the team's annual "Breast Cancer Awareness Game." The team will play host to the Everett Silvertips (33-19-2-2, 70 pts). Game time is 7:05 p.m. Tri-City won the last game against the Silvertips 2-1, in Kennewick. Tickets are available at all Ticketmaster locations, including the Toyota Center Box Office, at any Fred Meyer outlet or online at Ticketmaster.com.

Jack in the Box Three Stars

1. Parker Bowles, Tri-City

2. Jordan Topping, Tri-City

3. Patrick Dea, Edmonton

Check out the Tri-City Americans Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Western Hockey League Stories from February 15, 2016


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central