Giants Rough Up Americans 6-2
Published on March 5, 2009 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Tri-City Americans News Release
VANCOUVER, BC - When going against one of the best teams in the League, there is little room for errors.
The Americans made two costly ones and the Giants took full advantage.
Backed by two goals from Evander Kane, the Vancouver Giants (55-7-1-3 114 pts) roughed up the visiting Tri-City Americans (47-17-0-3, 97 pts) 6-2 in front of 7,021 fans at Pacific Coliseum. With the win, the Giants continued to lurk behind the Calgary Hitmen for the top spot in the WHL standings and clinch the four-game season series with the Americans, winning 3-1. Meanwhile, the loss snapped Tri-City's season-high nine-game winning streak. But, combined with Spokane's 4-1 loss in Kelowna, the Americans maintained their 10-point lead over the second-place Chiefs in the division standings. With just five games remaining, Tri-City's magic number now sits at 3 points to secure their second-straight U.S. Division title.
With their starting goaltender back in Kennewick, Tri-City started rookie Drew Owsley against the League's second-ranked offensive team. Not an easy task for a goaltender that had not started since January 9 in Seattle. And, just 1:03 into the contest, it didn't take long for the Giants to get going, as Kane notched his first of the night.
But, after the first goal, the game settled into a groove, as the two teams continued to battle. It wasn't until a fluke series of events early in the second period that things began to snowball for Tri-City.
At the 5:40 mark of the second period, Vancouver's Alex Rogers dumped the puck into the Americans zone and headed for a line change. At that time, Brett Plouffe collected the puck and began to skate out of the zone. But, when crossing in front of the crease, Plouffe ran into Riley McIntosh and both fell to the ice. As they landed, the puck glanced off McIntosh's right glove and somehow found its way through Owsley's pads, giving the Giants a 2-0 lead.
Just over seven minutes later and during a 4-on-3 power play, Kane registered his second of the evening. Kane let a shot go that Owsley was able to corral. But, without the puck firmly stopped, it continued its momentum across the goal line as Owsley dropped to the ice to stop play. Three minutes later, Adam Basford broke into the Tri-City zone as part of a 2-on-1 breakaway. Basford later launched a wrist shot over the glove of Owsley, making it 4-0.
Late in the second period, Tri-City finally got on the board, as Brooks Macek sent a perfect centering pass to Plouffe, who buried the puck past Tyson Sexsmith.
In the third period, the Giants notched two goals in the first eight minutes, putting the game out of reach. The first came off the stick of Bronson Maschmeyer, beating Brett Martyniuk who replaced Owsley to start the period. Then, from the side of the net, WHL-leading scorer Casey Pierro-Zabotel redirected a Mike Berube shot past Martyniuk, making it a 6-1 game.
With just over eight minutes remaining in regulation, Justin Feser collected a Vancouver turnover and used it to beat Sexsmith, five-hole, to cap the scoring in the contest. Along with their winning streak, Jason Reese (11 games), Mitch Fadden (9 games), Kruise Reddick (6 games) and Taylor Procyshen (5 games) all saw their point streaks come to an end.
Sexsmith stopped 24 of the 26 shots he faced to pick-up the win. Meanwhile, Owsley was credited with the loss, as he and Martyniuk combined for 27 saves. Tri-City finished the night 0-for-4 on the power play, while the Giants went 1-for-4 on the man-advantage.
With a travel day tomorrow, the Americans will now head south to Kent, where they will set-up camp for the next three days. Tri-City will then play the first game of a doubleheader with the Seattle Thunderbirds on Friday, March 6. Game time is 7:35 p.m. at ShoWare Center. The Americans are 6-1 against the T'birds this season, but are 1-1 at ShoWare Center. Seattle's lone win came during Tri-City's last trip to Kent, a 6-4 come-from-behind victory back on January 18. The game will be broadcast live, via WHL WebTV, at the Americans' home away from home, Kimo's Sports Café and R.F. McDougall's in Richland, starting at 7:35 p.m. Fans can also catch all the action live on NewsTalk 870 AM, starting with the Sterling Savings Bank Warm-up Show at 7:15 p.m.
U.S. Cellular Three Stars:
1, Evander Kane, Vancouver
2, Craig Schira, Vancouver
3, Bronson Maschmeyer, Vancouver
Taylor Procyshen's 'Go Pro' MDA Challenge Update: After 67 games, Tri-City has recorded 253 goals = $1,012
If you would like to join Taylor's MDA Challenge, contact the Americans office at 509.736.0606 and ask how you can contribute.
Western Hockey League Stories from March 5, 2009
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- WHL This Week: Looking Ahead - WHL
- Falloon Commits to Bruins - Chilliwack Bruins
- Cougars to White-Out CN Centre - Prince George Cougars
- Pats will "Soldier On" Friday night - Regina Pats
- Giants Win 6-2, Kane Sets Record - Vancouver Giants
- Hitmen Fall 5-1 In Kamloops - Calgary Hitmen
- Giants Rough Up Americans 6-2 - Tri-City Americans
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