WHL Tri-City Americans

Four Power Play Goals Spark Tri-City Comeback vs. Seattle

October 12, 2009 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Tri-City Americans News Release


KENT, WA - Even the League's top penalty killing unit couldn't cool off the Tri-City Americans' power play.

Red hot Brendan Shinnimin collected two goals and three points, helping the Tri-City Americans (5-2-0-0, 10 pts) erase a 4-goal deficit in route to a 5-4 shootout victory over the Seattle Thunderbirds (2-5-0-1, 5 pts) in front of 2,455 fans at ShoWare Center. With the victory, the Americans picked up their third straight victory and first shootout victory of the season. They also improved to 4-1 all-time vs. Seattle in the shootout, including a perfect 3-0 on the road.

Tri-City, who benefitted from nine power play chances in the contest, scored all four of their regulation goals on the man-advantage, raising their conversion percentage to 31.1% (2nd in the WHL). But, the Americans would need each and every one of them on Sunday, falling into a 4-0 hole in the first period.

At the 12:11 mark of the first period, while playing 4-on-4, Chance Lunch knocked in a Tanner Muth rebound and scored his first goal of the season. Then, two and a half minutes later, Jonathan Parker scored his first of two goals in a 42-second span, leading Seattle to a 3-0 lead.

After Tyler Alos' power play goal with 1:27 remaining in the period made it a 4-0 lead, Tri-City finally got on the board. With just six seconds remaining in the period, Shinnimin knocked in his first goal of the night.

The Tri-City offense got going in the second, outshooting the T'birds 20 to 5 in the period. At the 11:10 mark, Adam Hughesman recorded his fourth goal of the season during a 5-on-3 opportunity. Then, 4:47 later, Shinnimin cleaned up a Hughesman rebound, pulling the Americans to within one. Finally, with just 2:45 remaining in regulation, and off another Hughesman rebound, Justin Feser's put back found its way between Calvin Pickard's pads, knotting the game at 4.

After a scoreless overtime, Seattle elected to shoot first in the shootout. After Drew Owsley's pad save on Prab Rai's shot, Shinnimin beat Pickard between his pads. Owsley then stopped Colin Jacobs, setting the stage for Johnny Lazo, whose goal ended the shootout.

Owsley, who won his third straight game and improved his record to 2-0 in shootouts, stopped 25 shots. Both shootout victories have come against Seattle. Meanwhile, Pickard collected 36 saves in defeat. Tri-City finished 4-for-9 on the power play, while Seattle was 2-for-5 on the man-advantage.

After a travel day on Monday, the Americans will hit the ice on Tuesday, October 13 when they face-off against the streaking Kelowna Rockets. Game time is 7:00 p.m. at Prospera Place. The Rockets enter Tuesday's contest riding a six-game winning streak, outscoring their opponents 33 to 13 in the process. Tri-City, meanwhile, comes in with a 1-0 lead in the four-game series with Kelowna after their 6-1 opening night victory at Toyota Center. Fans can catch all the action live, via WHL WebTV, at the Americans' home away from home, Kimo's Sports Café in Richland, starting at 7:00 p.m. Also, the game will be broadcast live on NewsTalk 870 AM, starting with the Sterling Savings Bank Warm-up Show at 6:45 p.m.

Applebee's 3 Stars:

1, Brendan Shinnimin, Tri-City

2, Jonathan Parker, Seattle

3, Sena Acolatse, Seattle

Check out the Tri-City Americans Statistics



Western Hockey League Stories from October 12, 2009


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