Game Preview: Americans Head to Portland in Search of Road Win
May 1, 2021 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Tri-City Americans News Release
Tonight's Match-Up:
Tri-City (5-8-0-0) | Portland (9-6-3-0)
Tri-City and Portland have already met twice this season. Once in Kennewick and once in Portland, with the home team taking the victory both times.
They most recently played each other on April 2nd when the Americans fell 6-2 in Portland. Sasha Mutala scored both goals for the Americans, both assisted by Connor Bouchard. Netminder Talyn Boyko faced a season-high 42 shots against from the Winterhawks.
Sasha Mutala has been exceptionally successful against the Winterhawks this season. He has netted three of his five goals this season in the two games against Portland. For the Winterhawks, Simon Knak leads head-to-head scoring with two goals and two assist against the Americans.
The Winterhawks might see Cross Hanas, Clay Hanus and James Stefan return to the lineup tonight. The three players, and Jack O'Brien who played his first game of the season with Portland last night, have returned from the USHL and completed the WHL's quarentine period and passed COVID-19 protocols to return.
Specialty Teams
Power Play: TC 10.00% | POR 17.81%
Penalty Kill: TC 71.43%| POR 83.64%
Previous Meetings
Tri-City 2 @ Portland 6 (2021-04-02)
Portland 2 @ Tri-City 3 (2021-03-18)
Tri-City's Last Game:
The Americans returned to game action on Wednesday for the first time since April 13th. Tri-City didn't show many signs of rust coming off ten days of isolation, but the Chiefs ultimately were able to edge out the Americans 5-3.
Tri-City was ready to play from the start and opened scoring 4:39 into the game with a goal from Luke Zazula. Booker Daniel and Nick Bowman also scored on Wednesday for the Americans. Bowman's goal marks his first of the season.
The Americans controlled play most of the night in Spokane, but saw the game slip away as the Chiefs capitalized on a pair of Americans penalties. Tri-City was 0/1 on the power play and the Chiefs were 2/5 with a man-advantage.
Mason Dunsford played in net for the Americans. It was the 17-year-old netminder's second start this season. He stopped 22 of 26 shots faced. The Americans led shots on goal 36-27.
Western Hockey League Stories from May 1, 2021
- Dominant First Period Carries Americans to 3-2 Victory over Portland - Tri-City Americans
- Oil Kings Fall to Rebels, Win Streak Snapped at Five - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Comeback Bid Falls Short Saturday against Tri-City - Portland Winterhawks
- Beckman Records Second Straight Hat Trick as Chiefs Top T-Birds, 8-3 - Spokane Chiefs
- Scott Ratzlaff Debuts as T-Birds Fall to Chiefs - Seattle Thunderbirds
- 200 for 12: Newkirk Set to Reach WHL Milestone Tonight - Portland Winterhawks
- Game Preview: Americans Head to Portland in Search of Road Win - Tri-City Americans
- Game Day Hub: May 1 - Portland Winterhawks
- Cougars Can't Extend Victoria Streak - Prince George Cougars
- Rockets Shutdown Blazers 6-1 - Kelowna Rockets
- Royals Top Cougars in OT - Victoria Royals
- Portland Rally Keeps Division Title at Bay - Everett Silvertips
- Hitmen Fall in Penultimate Game of Season - Calgary Hitmen
- Williams Hat-Trick Powers Oil Kings to Fifth Straight Win - Edmonton Oil Kings
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