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WHL Tri-City Americans

Hughesman Lifts Tri-City To 4-3 Victory Over 'Hawks

September 26, 2009 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Tri-City Americans News Release


KENNEWICK, WA - It may not have been pretty but, in the end, a win is a win.

Johnny Lazo and Adam Hughesman each scored twice as the Tri-City Americans (2-0-0-0, 4 pts) held off Luke Walker and the visiting Portland Winterhawks (1-1-0-0, 2 pts) 4-3 in front of 3,725 fans at the Toyota Center in Kennewick. With the win, the Americans get off to a 2-0 to start for the third consecutive season. Meanwhile, Portland dropped their first game of the season and has now lost seven of their last eight games vs. Tri-City. The two clubs will meet again two weeks from tonight.

Tri-City appeared lackadaisical through the first 20 minutes and, despite near-equal shots on goal totals, Portland took a 1-0 lead into the first break after a Walker wrist shot beat Drew Owsley.

Showing no real signs of improvement to start the 2nd period, Tri-City Head Coach Jim Hiller called timeout at the 6:13 mark of the period. After rallying the troops, the Americans responded five minutes later. Just past the half way mark of the period and on the power play, Lazo tied the game at 1 during a scramble in front of the net. Four minutes later, it was Adam Hughesman's turn, burying a feed from Brendan Shinnimin. Finally, with 32 seconds remaining in the period, Lazo struck again, putting Tri-City on top 3-1 after two periods of play.

The Americans outshot the 'Hawks 21 to 10 in the second period, but it was Owsley's goaltending on those 10 saves that provided the spark for Tri-City's turnaround. The Tri-City starter made save after save, including a stick save as he went sprawling across the crease.

Tri-City kept blasting away at 'Hawks starter Ian Curtis to start the third period but, slowly, Portland began to gain momentum. At the 11:34 mark of the third period, Walker struck for the second time, cutting the deficit in half. Then, just over two minutes later, Walker tied the game and completed his hat trick.

But, with 4:19 remaining in regulation and on the power play, Hughesman tipped in the game-winner. Owsley and the Americans' defense were able to hold off a late Portland charge to secure the victory. Owsley, who improved to 2-0 on the year, stopped 28 of the 31 shots he faced. Meanwhile, Curtis collected 32 saves in the loss. Tri-City finished the night 2-for-6 on the power play and was a perfect 4-for-4 on the penalty kill.

Tomorrow afternoon, the Americans will hop on the bus and head north for a date with their division rivals, the Spokane Chiefs. Game time is 7:00 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Arena. It is the first match-up of the season between the two clubs. Spokane took the 12-game season series last year, winning 7-5. Meanwhile, Tri-City will look to spoil the Chiefs' home opener festivities in their first road game of the season. Despite local reports, the contest will not be televised locally. However, the game will be broadcast live, via WHL WebTV, at the Americans' Home Away from Home, Kimo's Sports Café in Richland. The game will also be aired on NewsTalk 870 AM, starting with the Sterling Savings Bank Warm-up Show at 6:45 p.m.

Applebee's 3 Stars:

1, Johnny Lazo, Tri-City

2, Luke Walker, Portland

3, Brendan Shinnimin, Tri-City

Notes:

After the game, Americans' Governor/General Manager Bob Tory announced that the team reassigned forwards Max Moline and Zach McPhee. Moline will report to the Lethbridge Midget AAA, while McPhee heads to the Thompson Okanagan Midget AAA. Both players appeared in four games during the pre-season but did not appear during the regular season. The move reduces Tri-City's roster down to 26 (14 forwards, 9 defensemen and 3 goaltenders).

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