WHL Tri-City Americans

Portland Knocks Off Tri-City 6-3

Published on March 7, 2010 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Tri-City Americans News Release


PORTLAND, OR - Let the race begin!

After previously holding a double-digit lead in the U.S. Division standings this season, the Tri-City Americans (45-20-1-2, 93 pts) now have company atop the Conference after falling to the Portland Winterhawks (41-25-2-1, 85 pts) 6-3 in front of 10,194 fans at the Rose Garden. With the win, Portland picked up just their second win in 10 overall meetings with the Americans this season. However, for Tri-City, that loss could not have come at a worse time in the season, as they are desperately trying to hold off the hard-charging Everett Silvertips and Spokane Chiefs. Now, as teams enter the final week of the regular season, the loss sets up a three-team race for the U.S. Division crown.

With offensive difficulties in Chilliwack the night before, the Americans appeared to shed that burden, scoring only 1:34 into the game. From behind the net, Sergei Drozd fed a backdoor pass to Brooks Macek, who slipped the puck in at the near post to put Tri-City up 1-0. The lead was short-lived, however, as Portland's Ty Rattie beat Alexander Pechurskiy glove side with a shot from the top of the left circle.

At the 6:12 mark of the period and on the power play, Tri-City retook the lead when Patrick Holland's shot glanced off Portland defenseman Brett Ponich and got past a surprised Mac Carruth. But, nearly six minutes later, the 'Hawks' Ryan Johansen fired a shot just inside the left post, tying the game at 2. Then, two minutes later, Brad Ross redirected a Johansen pass that beat Pechurskiy low on the stick side, giving Portland a 3-2 lead headed into the first break.

Early into the second period, the Americans tied the game when Drozd notched his 11th goal of the season. On a 2-on-1 breakaway, Kruise Reddick sent a cross-ice pass to Drozd, who beat Carruth top shelf to tie the game at 3-apiece. But, with 50 seconds remaining in the period, Tri-City gave up a back-breaker to defenseman Taylor Aronson, who connected on a wrist shot from the right point to give Portland the lead for good.

Carruth and the 'Hawks were able to keep the Americans' offense at bay for the remainder of the contest. Meanwhile, in the final 3:03 of the period, Portland got goals from Luke Walker and Oliver Gabriel to cap the scoring in the contest. Walker, at the 16:57 mark, put back a Troy Rutkowski rebound while Gabriel tallied an empty netter with 2:48 remaining in regulation. Carruth finished the night with 29 saves on 32 shots, while Pechurskiy allowed five goals on 31 shots faced. Tri-City was 1-for-3 on the power play and a perfect 1-for-1 on the penalty kill.

In other U.S. Division action, the Silvertips ripped the Prince George Cougars 7-2 at CN Centre, improving to 9-0-1-1 over their last 11 games. The win pulled Everett into a tie for the top spot in the division, but Tri-City retains first place with a higher overall wins total. Meanwhile, the Spokane Chiefs dropped the Seattle Thunderbirds 4-1 in Kent. That, combined with Tri-City's loss, pulled the Chiefs to within four points of the Americans.

Tri-City, who fell to 3-3 on their seven-game road trip, wraps up the weekend tomorrow, March 7, when they take on the Seattle Thunderbirds at ShoWare Center. Game time is 5:05 p.m. The Americans are 6-2 vs. the T'birds this season and have won the previous four meetings coming into Sunday's match-up. Seattle, on the other hand, has dropped their last four games overall and is already out of the 2010 Playoffs picture. Fans can catch all the action live, via WHL WebTV, at the Americans' home away from home, Kimo's Sports Café in Richland. The game will also be broadcast live on NewsTalk 870 AM, starting with the Sterling Savings Bank Warm-up Show at 4:50 p.m.

Applebee's 3 Stars:

1, Ryan Johansen, Portland

2, Brad Ross, Portland

3, Oliver Gabriel, Portland

Check out the Tri-City Americans Statistics

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Western Hockey League Stories from March 7, 2010


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