WHL Tri-City Americans

Ams Come Back Magic Lives On; Take 3-0 Series Lead Over Blazers

Published on March 26, 2008 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Tri-City Americans News Release


KAMLOOPS, BC - Despite being down two goals, going 0-for-6 on the power play and having been out shot 27 to 21 at the end of two periods of play, the Tri-City Americans still found a way to win on Tuesday night.

Chet Pickard stopped 33 shots, and Jason Reese notched the game-winning goal with two and a half minutes remaining, to cap the Tri-City Americans (3-0-0, 6 pts) 4-3 comeback victory over the host Kamloops Blazers (0-3-0, 0 pts) in front of 2,895 at Interior Savings Centre. The Americans have won eight straight games, dating back to the regular season, and have the Blazers on the brink of elimination with a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. Meanwhile, Kamloops have now their last eight games at home as they fight to stay alive in the playoffs. The two clubs will meet again tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m.

Looking to make a statement in front of the hometown fans, it was the Blazers that went ahead first in the contest. With just over three minutes remaining in the first period, Scott Wasden's shot got a fortunate bounce off Eric Mestery's skate and found its way past Pickard for the 1-0 lead. But, with one minute remaining in the period, Mestery returned the favor, with a puck that maneuvered its way under Justin Leclerc's pads, tying the game at 1.

Then, with just 2:55 gone in the second period and shorthanded, Wasden recorded his second goal of the night, after splitting two defensemen and beating Pickard. Five minutes later, and on the power play, Kamloops jumped out to a 3-1 lead, after Tyler Shattock buried his first goal of the post-season.

Even with their troubles through the first 40 minutes, Ams fans know not to count out their club, who won a League-high seven times this year when trailing after two periods during the regular season.

The comeback started at the 2:33 mark of the final period, when Adam Hughesman's wrap-around shot beat Leclerc to the near post, pulling Tri-City to within one. Then, eight minutes later, Blair Macaulay tied the game at 3 after hammering home his own rebound. Jason Reese completed the comeback with less than two and a half minutes to play in regulation, after his face-off win set-up Brett Plouffe. Plouffe let a shot go that banged off a skate and went straight to Reese, who beat Leclerc for his second goal of the post-season. Leclerc ended the night with 30 saves.

With Game 4 looming, the Blazers will try and regroup to avoid being knocked out in the first round of the playoffs for the eighth straight time. Meanwhile, the Americans will be looking to win their first opening round playoff series since the 2003-04 season.

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Western Hockey League Stories from March 26, 2008


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