
Shinnimin's Two Help Americans Cage Cougars 4-1
December 10, 2009 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Tri-City Americans News Release
KENNEWICK, WA - There would be no hat trick from Johnny Lazo on Wednesday night, but the Americans managed to provide plenty of offense without it.
Brendan Shinnimin netted two goals and Drew Owsley stopped 24 shots to lead the Tri-City Americans (22-8-0-0, 44 pts) past the visiting Prince George Cougars (5-24-1-1, 12 pts) 4-1 in front of 3,820 fans at the Toyota Center. With the win, the Americans' winning streak reached three games and snapped their brief two-game home losing skid. Tri-City also maintained their dominance over Prince George, having now won 16 of their last 17 match-ups with their Western Conference opponents including their last nine meetings. Meanwhile, the Cougars' spiral continued, as their losing streak hit three games and have now lost eight of their last 10 games.
With 4:09 remaining in the first period and halfway through their second power play, Justin Feser got the Americans on the board first. For Feser, it was his 15th goal of the season and gave him at least one goal in his last three games. However, despite doubling up the Cougars' shot total in the first period, Tri-City only lead 1-0 after the first 20 minutes of play.
Just 3:00 into the second period, however, Lazo picked off a Prince George pass and broke out Shinnimin. With a blast from the slot, Shinnimin beat Alex Wright glove side, giving the Americans a 2-0 lead. But, only 1:23 later, a Tri-City turnover lead to Alex Rodgers' goal, cutting the Cougars' deficit in half.
Just over two minutes later, however, the Americans responded with a 3-on-1 breakaway. Kruise Reddick found a hustling Brooks Macek, who was the trailer on the play, backdoor, slamming home his eighth goal of the season. Finally, back on the power play with less than seven minutes remaining in the period, Shinnimin beat Wright short side to cap the scoring in the contest. The Americans, after connecting on three of just eight shots in the second period, led 4-1 after two periods of play and never looked back.
Things would get chippy in the third period, as the two teams combined for 32 penalty minutes on 13 infractions over the final period. But, neither squad connected, as the Americans skated to the win.
Owsley, who has now won three straight starts, passed Lance Leslie (27) and moved into sole possession of 7th on the Americans' all-time wins list. Meanwhile, making just his ninth start of the year, Wright finished the night with 29 saves in the loss. The Americans finished 2-for-7 on the power play and a perfect 3-for-3 on the penalty kill.
After a practice day Thursday, the Americans return to the ice for three games in three nights, starting Friday, December 11 against the Seattle Thunderbirds at ShoWare Center. Game time is 7:35 p.m. Tri-City currently leads the 10-game regular season series 2 games to 1 and is 1-1 at ShoWare Center this season. The Americans are 3-3 all-time in the T'birds' new home, with two of those wins coming in shootouts. Meanwhile, Seattle comes in just four points back of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference but has lost three of their last four games. 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 7:15 p.m.
Applebee's 3 Stars:
1, Brendan Shinnimin, Tri-City
2, Brooks Macek, Tri-City
3, Jordan Messier, Tri-City
Western Hockey League Stories from December 10, 2009
- WHL This Week: Looking Ahead... - WHL
- Pats Make Another "Giant" Trade - Regina Pats
- Giants Make Trade With Regina - Vancouver Giants
- Winterhawks Players To Skate At Frozen Westmoreland Park Pond Friday - Portland Winterhawks
- Team Slovakia To Set Up Training Camp in Prince Albert - Prince Albert Raiders
- Winterhawks Pledge Collaboration With Trail Blazers On Memorial - Portland Winterhawks
- Plainsmen Girls To Be Honoured - Brandon Wheat Kings
- T-Birds Defenseman Steve Chaffin Retires - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Spokane Chiefs In Town Friday Night - Chilliwack Bruins
- Brandon Scores Overtime Win - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Shinnimin's Two Help Americans Cage Cougars 4-1 - Tri-City Americans
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