WHL Tri-City Americans

Pickard Sets All-Time Wins Record; Tri-City Blanks Bruins, 2-0

Published on November 22, 2008 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Tri-City Americans News Release


CHILLIWACK, BC - Move over Carey Price; the Americans have a new all-time wins leader.

Chet Pickard, in his 140th game in an Americans' sweater, stopped all 26 shots he faced to claim the top spot in the Tri-City Americans' (15-7-0-2, 32 pts) record books and shutout the host Chilliwack Bruins (9-13-2-2, 22 pts) 2-0 in front of 3,949 fans at Prospera Centre. After failing to pass Price in his last three starts, Pickard used his eighth career shutout to pick up win #84. The win also snapped Tri-City's brief two-game slide and kept the Americans one-point back of division-leading Spokane, who won 6-2 in Moose Jaw. Meanwhile, the Bruins fall to 1-6-2-1 in their history with the Americans, including 0-3-1-1 at Prospera Centre.

Despite outshooting the Bruins 13 to 9 after the first 20 minutes of play, the two clubs went into the first intermission stuck in a scoreless tie. However, the Americans wasted little time getting on the board to start the second period of play.

At the 2:29 mark of the period and killing off a Tyler Schmidt interference penalty, Jason Reese was able to breakout Mitch Fadden. Fadden broke in on Bruins' netminder Mark Friesen, but before he could get a full shot off, Chilliwack forward Jadon Potter dove in an attempt to break-up the play. Despite the take down, Fadden was able to get a partial shot off that found its way between the pads of Friesen just before Fadden crashed into the net. After the officiating crew huddled to discuss the play, the goal was eventually awarded to Fadden, who picked up his first goal as a member of the Americans.

However, the game was delayed several minutes and both teams were sent to the locker rooms shortly after the goal was scored. Potter, after he tripped up Fadden, spun around and slammed into the boards behind the net. He was later carted off the ice on a stretcher and taken to the local hospital. His status was unknown at the conclusion of the game.

Once play resumed, the two teams continued to battle hard, as the Bruins outshot Tri-City 11 to 9 in the second period. But, in the final period of play, Tri-City would take control.

Midway through the period and on the penalty kill again, Mitch McColm separated Chilliwack defenseman Brett Ward from the puck at neutral ice. Reese collected the puck and broke out Fadden, again, who beat Friesen over his glove, for his second shorthanded goal of the night. The WHL record is 3 SHG in a game, held by four different players including former Tri-City American Kalvin Knibbs, who had three against the Spokane Chiefs on January 31, 1990. With two shorthanded goals Friday night, the Americans have already registered seven shorthanded goals this season, one less than their League-leading eight shorthanded tallies last season.

Friesen stopped 35 of 37 shots in the loss. Tri-City was 0-for-2 on the power play and a perfect 4-for-4 on the penalty kill.

Tri-City can now turn their attention to the last leg for their four-game road trip, which takes them to Comcast Arena and a match-up with the surging Everett Silvertips. Game time is 7:05 p.m. It is the third meeting of the season between the two division rivals, with both previous contests having been decided by one goal. The Americans, who sit just three points ahead of Silvertips in the division standings, have struggled at Comcast Arena since Everett joined the league, going 6-12-1-3 with 3 ties in five+ seasons. 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 7:05 p.m. Fans can also catch all the action live on NewsTalk 870 AM, starting with the Sterling Savings Bank Warm-up Show at 6:45 p.m.

Check out the Tri-City Americans Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Western Hockey League Stories from November 22, 2008


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central