WHL Tri-City Americans

Broda Nets Hat Trick; Tri-City Shuts Out Kelowna 5-0

Published on March 11, 2007 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Tri-City Americans News Release


KENNEWICK, WA - Back in 2004, Joel Broda was selected with the ninth-overall pick by the Tri-City Americans in hopes that his scoring touch would continue to grow. After registering 13 goals in his Midget season and 78 goals as a Bantam, the future certainly looks bright.

On Sunday night, Broda notched his first-career Western Hockey League hat trick, as the Tri-City Americans (43-23-1-1, 88 pts) shutout the Kelowna Rockets (20-41-5-4, 49 pts) 5-0 at the Toyota Center in Kennewick. For Tri-City, the win extended their home-winning streak to 11 games and gave them a sweep of their B.C. Division opponent. This season, the Americans enjoyed a lot of success against the B.C. Division. The win wraps-up a 17-4 record against their Western Conference counterparts, including four wins against Chilliwack, Prince George and Kelowna. Despite the win, Seattle was able to keep pace with Tri-City as they defeated Chilliwack in overtime. The Thunderbirds are four points back of second-place with four games remaining to be played.

The Tri-City power play, which has struggled over the past week, ignited for three goals in the contest. With 9:07 remaining in the first period and, on the man-advantage, Broda got the scoring started for Tri-City. Following up on a Roman Teslyuk rebound, Broda slammed home his first of three goals on the night. Then, 45 seconds later, Erik Felde recorded a highlight-reel goal when he beat Kelowna net minder Torrie Jung over his left shoulder. After a tape-to-tape pass from Taylor Procyshen, Felde notched his 21st goal of the season and his first since February 23 against Prince Albert.

The Americans took the 2-0 lead into the first intermission and, in the second period, Broda went to work. Only 3:17 into the period, and on the power play, Broda put back another rebound shot, this one from Shaun Vey, from the mid-slot to give Tri-City a 3-0 advantage. Then, 2:05 later, Broda completed the hat trick when he and Vey were sent through the Rockets defense on a 2-on-1 break. Broda beat Jung again for his career-best 15th goal of the season.

Still, Tri-City was not done, as defenseman Juraj Valach capped the scoring two minutes later on the power play. Valach slipped behind the Kelowna defense and redirected a T.J. Fast pass behind Jung for the 5-0 lead. For Valach, it was his seventh goal of the season, with his last coming on February 16 against Kootenay. Along with Fast and Vey, Valach finished with a two-point night to pace Tri-City.

With the game well in hand in the third period, the Americans received a big scare when starting goaltender Carey Price got his leg caught underneath him. With just under two minutes gone in the final period, Price was attempting to clear the puck as the Rockets were pressuring inside the Tri-City zone. Several Kelowna and Tri-City players crashed into the net and collected Price in the mass. Price tried to stay in the game, but head coach Don Nachbaur pulled his starter as a precaution. Back-up Chet Pickard played the final 18:09 of the game and stopped all seven shots he saw to preserve the shutout win. After the game, Price was seen participating in a post-game skate with the team and will be evaluated by the Americans training staff on Monday.

With four games remaining, the Americans are now entering the final week of the regular season. On Wednesday, March 14, the Portland Winter Hawks come to the Toyota Center as the two teams wrap-up their nine-game regular season series. Tri-City has won their last five contests against the 'Hawks and own a 6-2 record against Portland this season. Game time is 7:05 PM. You can catch all the action this Wednesday, and all season long, at the Toyota Center in Kennewick as well as live on NewsTalk 870 AM. The broadcast starts with the Budweiser Warm-Up Show, which begins 15 minutes before game time. Game tickets are available through all TicketsWest outlets, including Red Lion Hotels, by calling 1-800-325-SEAT (7328), or by visiting the Americans website at www.amshockey.com.

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Western Hockey League Stories from March 11, 2007


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