WHL Tri-City Americans

Portland Has Nothing But Tricks For Tri-City; Beat Americans 4-1

November 1, 2008 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Tri-City Americans News Release


KENNEWICK, WA - The gremlins and hob goblins were out running amuck Friday night at Toyota Center. Not only did they have fun with some of the arena's electrical equipment on Halloween, they also defused the Americans' offense.

Kurtis Mucha stopped 31 shots and the visiting Portland Winter Hawks (3-12-0-0, 6 pts) notched three third period goals to run away with a 4-1 victory over the Tri-City Americans (10-5-0-1, 21 pts) in front of 3,234 fans at Toyota Center. With the win, the 'Hawks snap a five-game losing streak to the Americans and pick-up their first win in Kennewick since December 29, 2007. Meanwhile, with the loss, the Americans have now lost their past three games and fail to jump ahead of the Spokane Chiefs in the U.S. Division standings, after the Chiefs lost 3-2 in Everett.

Over the past week, there has been a whirlwind of activity in the Rose City, including the sale of the Winter Hawks to Bill Gallacher and the addition of Mike Johnston as the team's new GM and Head Coach. All of which ignited the 'Hawks, who were playing their first game under the new regime.

Although the contest started with a scoreless first period that saw Tri-City out shoot the 'Hawks 11 to 5 and miss out on several opportunities to notch that first goal, the 'Hawks would be heard from early in the second period. Just 29 seconds in, Chris Francis took off on a breakaway and beat Tri-City netminder Chet Pickard, giving Portland the early 1-0 lead.

However, with less than three minutes remaining in the period, Tri-City responded with a breakaway goal of their own. Jason Reese buried the puck past Mucha for his team-high 11th goal of the season, capping a seven-goal and 18-point month of October. But, it would prove to be the only offense the Americans could muster.

Midway through the final period, Riley Boychuk redirected a Brett Ponich shot, past a startled Pickard, giving Portland the lead for good. Four minutes later, Colin Reddin tallied his third goal of the season and, with seven seconds remaining in regulation, Radim Valchar capped the scoring with an empty net goal. Tri-City finished with a 32 to 24 shot advantage in the contest, while the Americans went 0-for-3 on the power play and a perfect 2-for-2 on the penalty kill.

Tri-City will now look to right the ship tomorrow, Saturday, November 1, when the Seattle Thunderbirds visit the Toyota Center. Game time is 7:05 p.m. The Americans are 2-0 in the nine-game series with the T'birds and have won their past four home games against Seattle. Tickets are available through all Ticketmaster locations, including the Toyota Center box office, all Fred Meyer outlets, 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 6:45 p.m.

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Western Hockey League Stories from November 1, 2008


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