Pats Pound Americans 7-1; Snap Tri-City's Home Streak
November 22, 2009 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Tri-City Americans News Release
KENNEWICK, WA - "It's just one of those nights."
Tri-City fans uttered the quote numerous times on Saturday night, as the Americans tried to maintain their perfect record on home ice. But, cross bar after cross bar, the breaks eventually beat the boys.
The visiting Regina Pats (13-11-3-0, 29 pts) used four power play goals to muscle their way past the Tri-City Americans (18-6-0-0, 36 pts) 7-1 in front of 5,051 fans at the Toyota Center. With the win, the Pats stretched their winning streak to three games and started their U.S. Division road trip with a bang. Meanwhile, the Americans dropped their first home game of the season and suffered their second six-goal defeat in their last four games.
Make no mistake, the Regina Pats took advantage of the opportunities they were presented with, capitalizing on defensive breakdowns and poor execution by Tri-City, and earned their two points. But, for all the chances Regina took advantage of, the Americans failed to connect on any of theirs, including going 0-for-9 on the power play and having a handful of shots ring off the posts throughout the night.
For just the second time this season, the opposing team scored the opening goal at the Toyota Center and it came just 2:22 into the contest. Jordan Weal deflected a Colten Teubert shot past Tri-City starter Drew Owsley to open the scoring. The Pats' counted again, this time at the midway point of the period, when Jordan Eberle drew the attention of two Tri-City skaters, leaving Brett Leffler all alone. Leffler camped backdoor on Owlsey then buried the cross-ice pass from Eberle to put Regina up 2-0.
The real back-breaker for Tri-City, however, came with less than two minutes remaining in the period. On their second power play of the night, Garrett Mitchell connected for the first of his two goals, putting Regina up by 3 headed into the first break.
The Pats' power play operated extremely efficiently in the second period, connecting three straight times, none of which lasted more than 34 seconds. The first came off the stick of Eberle, only 1:52 into the period, when he scored with a shot from the face-off circle. Weal then counted again, this time off a backdoor pass from Cody Carlson, just 15 seconds into their next opportunity. Then, eight seconds into another man-advantage, Teubert notched his sixth of the season on back-up Brett Martyniuk. And just like that, the Pats held a 6-0 lead 30 minutes into the game.
With 4:06 remaining in the second, Mitchell added one more to the scoreboard, sending the Americans into the locker room down 7-0.
Midway through the third period, Tri-City spoiled rookie Dawson Guhle's bid for his first career shutout, when Sergei Drozd redirected Jarrett Toll's shot from the point. But, it would stand as the lone bright spot for the Americans. Guhle finished the night with 35 saves in the win. Meanwhile, Owsley, who took the loss, and Martyniuk combined for 17 saves in defeat. Of their six losses this season, Tri-City has lost by 3+ goals five times and by 5+ goals three times.
The Americans will use the next three days to prepare for another big week at the Toyota Center, starting with their Wednesday, November 25 match-up with the Portland Winterhawks. Game time is 7:05 p.m. It will be the third meeting of the year between the two clubs, as Tri-City carries a 2-0 lead in the 10-game season series. The âHawks, who will host Regina on Tuesday, have currently lost two straight and five of their last 10. Meanwhile, the Americans will look to avoid losing back-to-back games for the first time this season. Tickets are available through all Ticketmaster outlets, including the Toyota Center box office, all Fred Meyer locations, 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.
Western Hockey League Stories from November 22, 2009
- Calgary Hitmen Drop A 3-2 Decision To Spokane - Calgary Hitmen
- Raiders Edge Oil Kings 5-4 In Overtime - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Blazers Acquire Kurtis Mucha - Kamloops Blazers
- Winterhawks Trade Goaltender Kurtis Mucha To Kamloops - Portland Winterhawks
- Wheat Kings Win Third Straight - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Pats Pound Americans 7-1; Snap Tri-City's Home Streak - Tri-City Americans
- Silvertips Knock Off Thunderbirds in Kent, 4-1 - Everett Silvertips
- Rai scores lone goal in 4-1 loss to Everett - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Winterhawks Finish Road Trip With 7-3 Loss in Vancouver Saturday - Portland Winterhawks
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