WHL Tri-City Americans

Penalties Tarnish Americans 5-2 Win Over Chiefs

Published on March 1, 2009 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Tri-City Americans News Release


SPOKANE, WA - In what started as an evening to honor and celebrate those overcoming the diagnosis of breast cancer, quickly dissolved into something much more disappointing.

Mitch Fadden and Kruise Reddick each scored twice to lead the visiting Tri-City Americans (46-16-0-3, 95 pts) to a 5-2 victory over the Spokane Chiefs (41-20-0-3, 85 pts) in front of a sold-out crowd of 10,538 fans at Veterans Memorial Arena. With the win, the Americans matched their season-high winning streak of eight games, while increasing their lead in the division to 10 points over the Chiefs. Meanwhile, Spokane had their brief two-game winning streak snapped. It was also the first home loss this season that the Chiefs have surrendered to Tri-City.

However, despite the exciting match-up between the two clubs and the goodwill associated with the contest, most will remember the game for the 329 combined penalty minutes over the final 13:27 of the third period.

But, before the match-up turned to chaos, it was a tight contest.

Midway through the first period, Tri-City got on the board first. While on the power play, Fadden let a shot go, over Dustin Tokarski's glove and off the cross bar, extending his goals streak to a career-high eight games.

However, four and a half minutes later, Tyler Johnson used his speed to get through the Tri-City defense and beat Chet Pickard, tying the game at 1. But, with 1:21 remaining in the period, Reddick used a wrist shot to beat Tokarski over his blocker, giving Tri-City the lead at 2-1.

In the second period, the Americans dominated the play, outshooting the Chiefs 12 to 3 over the next 20 minutes. While on a 5-on-3 power play midway through the period, Tyler Schmidt connected on his eighth goal of the season. Then, nearly two minutes later and on the same power play, Fadden beat Tokarski again. Finally, with 6:18 remaining in the period, Reddick picked up his second tally of the game, knocking in a Mitch McColm shot that had glanced off the post. Tokarski finished the night with 24 saves.

Up 5-1 going into the third period, the game began to disintegrate at the 6:33 mark of the period. As Ryan Letts joined the Spokane rush into the Tri-City zone, Letts ran into Pickard, who dropped to the ice. Meanwhile, a melee ensued as things went downhill from there. Pickard, who needed help off the ice went straight to the locker room and did not return. Back-up Brett Martyniuk entered the game in his place and played the final 13:27.

With 1:23 remaining in regulation and on the power play, Drayson Bowman scored to make it 5-2, but that would be all the offense the Chiefs could muster.

Tri-City finished the night 3-for-6 on the power play, while Spokane was 1-for-8 on the man-advantage.

The Americans will now attempt to put the craziness behind them and focus on their next match-up with the Portland Winter Hawks tomorrow, Sunday, March 1. Game time is 5:05 p.m. at Toyota Center. The 'Hawks have arguably been one of Tri-City's toughest opponents this season, despite their record in the conference. The Americans lead the nine-game series 5-3, with one of their losses coming in Kennewick. Tickets are available through all Ticketmaster outlets, including all Fred Meyer locations, the Toyota Center box office or online at ticketmaster.com. Those unable to make it to the game can catch all the action live on NewsTalk 870 AM, starting with the Sterling Savings Bank Warm-up Show at 4:45 p.m.

U.S. Cellular Three Stars:

1, Mitch Fadden, Tri-City

2, Kruise Reddick, Tri-City

3, Tyler Johnson, Spokane

Taylor Procyshen's 'Go Pro' MDA Challenge Update: After 65 games, Tri-City has recorded 246 goals = $984

If you would like to join Taylor's MDA Challenge, contact the Americans office at 509.736.0606 and ask how you can contribute.

Check out the Tri-City Americans Statistics

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Western Hockey League Stories from March 1, 2009


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