WHL Tri-City Americans

Reid Backstops Spokane To 3-2 Win Over Americans

Published on January 24, 2010 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Tri-City Americans News Release


KENNEWICK, WA - In a game featuring teams so evenly matched, it often comes down to the little things making the difference. And, on Saturday night in Kennewick, it was the Spokane Chiefs who slowly and methodically took the game away from the Americans.

James Reid stopped 32 shots and Kyle Beach scored the eventual game-winner midway through the third period, as the Spokane Chiefs (27-16-3-1, 58 pts) outlasted the Tri-City Americans (36-12-0-1, 73 pts) 3-2 in front of 5,591 fans at the Toyota Center. With the win, the Chiefs have now won three of their last four games, all of which have come on the road. Spokane now leads the best-of-12 season series four games to three. Meanwhile, the Americans saw both their seven-game home winning streak and six-game overall winning streak come to an end at the hands of their rivals. The two teams will now get a two-week reprieve before meeting again in Spokane on Feb. 13.

Before the Chiefs struck late in the period, the two teams were battling towards a scoreless first period. But, with 1:12 remaining in the period, Mitch Wahl carried the puck in down the right wall. Wahl then collected his own rebound and beat Tri-City goaltender Alexander Pechurskiy for the 1-0 lead.

The lead grew to 2-0 at the midway point of the second period courtesy of Tyler Johnson. At 10:48, ten seconds after both Beach and Tyler Schmidt were sent off for unsportsmanlike conduct penalties, Stefan Ulmer sent his face-off win to Johnson, who ripped a shot from the left circle for his 20th goal of the season.

But, less than two minutes later and still playing four-on-four, the Americans responded. Patrick Holland stripped the puck loose and sent it up to Justin Feser. Feser, from the high slot, beat Reid high over the blocker and pulled Tri-City to within one. The Americans finished up the second period on the power play but could not connect and went into the locker room down 2-1.

The back-breaker for Tri-City came midway through the third period. Beach sent in an innocent shot from the top of the circle that found its way through the pads of Pechurskiy and put the Chiefs back on top by two. For Pechurskiy, who was screened by Ulmer on the play, it marked just the second time this season that he had allowed more than two goals against in a game.

With just over five minutes remaining in the period and on a score-at-will, five-minute power play, the Americans finally injected some life into the team and their fans. Adam Hughesman deflected a Brooks Macek shot past Reid to cut the Tri-City deficit back down to one.

As good as the Chiefs were defensively on the night, Tri-City just missed tying the game on two separate occasions in the final minutes of play. Johnny Lazo saw his deflection trickle just wide of the net then, with 2:15 remaining, Mason Wilgosh hit the left post as Reid was late getting across the crease. But, even with Pechurskiy pulled over the final minute of play and with Spokane's Dominik Uher in the penalty box, the Americans could not tie the game, eventually falling for just the fifth time at home this season.

After spending three-quarters of the month playing in the friendly confines of the Toyota Center, Tri-City will now hit the road to wrap-up their swing through the Central Division. Their first stop takes them to Red Deer, Alberta on Wednesday, January 27 to take on the Rebels. Game time is 6:00 p.m. (PST). Tri-City is currently 1-2 vs. the Central this season, with their lone win coming against the Lethbridge Hurricanes on Nov. 13. But, the Americans have won their last three meetings with the Rebels, including last season's 6-3 home win on Nov. 9. Meanwhile, Red Deer leads the overall series with Tri-City, posting a record of 15-7-2-0 with 1 tie and is 9-2-2-0 all-time at the Enmax Centrium vs. the Americans. 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 5:45 p.m. (PST).

Applebee's 3 Stars:

1, Tyler Johnson, Spokane

2, Justin Feser, Tri-City

3, James Reid, Spokane

Check out the Tri-City Americans Statistics

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Western Hockey League Stories from January 24, 2010


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