Lazo, Wilgosh Power Americans Past Portland 6-2
Published on January 17, 2010 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Tri-City Americans News Release
KENNEWICK, WA - Nuclear energy is one of the most powerful resources ever discovered. Apparently, that power shifted to the Tri-City Americans when they donned nuclear-inspired jerseys on Saturday night.
Johnny Lazo recorded his third hat trick of the season, Mason Wilgosh scored twice and the Tri-City Americans (34-11-0-1, 69 pts) surged past the visiting Portland Winterhawks (27-18-1-1, 56 pts) 6-2 in front of a rowdy crowd of 5,613 fans at the Toyota Center. With the win, the Americans stretched their winning streak to four games and became the first club to reach the 20-win mark at home. Meanwhile, Portland has now lost four of their previous six games and fall to 0-6 vs. the Americans this season.
As part of a fundraiser for the Players' Education Fund, the Americans brought out the special themed jerseys on Saturday night in honor of the atomic history of the Tri-Cities. The fans lit up the arena with glow wands (spent fuel rods) during the pre-game ceremonies, then got to expel a lot of that energy in the first few minutes of the game.
Just 2:45 into the contest and on the power play, Lazo took a pass from Brendan Shinnimin and, while in the slot, fired a shot past Portland starter, Ian Curtis. It was the first of three goals that Curtis gave up in a span of 6:41, which eventually led to his early exit from the game. At the 5:11 mark of the period, Wilgosh fired a shot from the right circle that dribbled between Curtis' pads and put the Americans up by two. Then, Lazo's second goal of the night beat Curtis short side, above his glove, who gave way to back-up Mac Carruth after the goal.
With 4:42 remaining in the first period, Portland got on the board when Luke Walker got Drew Owsley to over commit to his left, then fed the puck to Chris Francis, who was waiting back door.
Down 3-1 coming out of the first intermission, Portland upped their offensive pressure as they tried to get back into the game. But, just 2:31 into the period and while playing shorthanded, Wilgosh stole any momentum Portland had when he put back Tyler Schmidt's rebound and put the Americans on top by three. Then, at the midway point of the period, rookie Patrick Holland beat Carruth top shelf, to increase the Tri-City lead to four.
With 4:44 gone in the third period, Portland's Nino Niederreiter made it a 5-2 game. But, while on the power play with 6:05 left in regulation, Lazo completed the hat trick when he corralled a loose puck and, with a backhander from the left circle, beat Carruth to cap the scoring in the contest.
It was a tough night for Portland's netminders, as Carruth and Curtis, who took the loss, combined for 21 saves. Meanwhile, Owsley, who surpassed the 3,000-minute mark for his WHL career, made 23 saves in collecting his 29th win of the season and 36th win in his career. Tri-City finished the night 2-for-5 on the power play and went a perfect 4-for-4 on the penalty kill.
Already with eight games played at the mid-point of January, the Americans will now get a couple days to prepare for yet another busy week. Another three-game week starts on Tuesday, January 19 when the B.C. Division's Kamloops Blazers visit the Toyota Center. Game time is 7:05 p.m. Tri-City currently leads the four-game season series 2-0, outscoring Kamloops 15 to 3 in the process. But, the revived Blazers come in on a five-game winning streak and are 8-3 since returning from the Winter Break. Tickets are available through all Ticketmaster outlets, including the Toyota Center box office, all Fred Meyer outlets, or online at ticketmaster.com. The game will also 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, Johnny Lazo, Tri-City
2, Mason Wilgosh, Tri-City
3, Riley McIntosh, Tri-City
Western Hockey League Stories from January 17, 2010
- Warriors' Third Period, Three-Goal Outburst Sinks Oil Kings - Edmonton Oil Kings
- 'Tips Rally In Overtime To Win Ninth Straight, 4-3 - Everett Silvertips
- Calgary Hitmen Fall 3-1 To Kootenay Ice - Calgary Hitmen
- Wheat Kings Roll Past Oil Kings - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Lazo, Wilgosh Power Americans Past Portland 6-2 - Tri-City Americans
- Hitmen blank Lethbridge - Calgary Hitmen
- Red Deer Rebels and Your Chilliwack Bruins Tonight at Prospera Centre - Chilliwack Bruins
- Blazers Trip Up T-Birds - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Everett Pushes Win Streak To Eight, Defeats Chilliwack - Everett Silvertips
- Hurricanes "Pink in the Rink" raises $23,000 for Canadian Cancer Society - Lethbridge Hurricanes
- Portland Winterhawks Fall 6-2 to Tri-Cities In Final Game of Road Trip - Portland Winterhawks
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