Siemens Stops 35 in Everett's 2-1 Win Over Tri-City
March 17, 2011 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Tri-City Americans News Release
KENNEWICK, WA - It appears irrelevant which goaltender is in net for Everett, as they are equally adept at containing the high-octane Americans.
Luke Siemens notched 35 saves, improving to 3-0-1-0 vs. Tri-City this season, as the Everett Silvertips (28-30-7-4, 67 pts) held off the Tri-City Americans (41-24-2-2, 86 pts) 2-1 in front of 4,220 fans at the Toyota Center. With the win, Everett halted their seven-game losing skid, in which five of them were decided by two goals or less. The victory also clinched the season series for the 'Tips, as they finish 6-4 vs. Tri-City this season. Meanwhile, Tri-City, which won 13 straight home games earlier this season, has dropped five of their last eight games inside the usually friendly confines of the Toyota Center.
Defense and goaltending were the names of the game in Wednesday's contest between two teams that have played a tight series all season long. So, it came as no surprise that the two division rivals skated to a scoreless tie after the first 20 minutes of play.
It was not until the 6:34 mark of the second period, that Tri-City finally opened the scoring. A great second effort play by Patrick Holland allowed the second-year forward to lift a Tyler Schmidt rebound over the diving Siemens, collecting his 22nd goal of the season and gave the Americans a 1-0 lead.
But, the lead was short-lived, as Everett knotted the game on the ensuing face-off following the mandatory media timeout midway the second. Josh Birkholz won the draw inside the Americans' zone, pushing it back to Ryan Murray at the far circle. From there, Murray let a shot go that appeared headed for the corner, but Josh Winquist redirected the shot out of midair for his eighth tally of the year. The play would be reviewed to see if Winquist's deflection was from a high-stick, but was quickly ruled to let stand.
Siemens earned his first-star honor in the third period, stopping all 15 of Tri-City's 36 total shots in the final 20 minutes of regulation. Meanwhile, with 10:43 left to play in the period, and on the power play, Parker Stanfield sent a pass out of the corner and into the slot, where Ryan Harrison redirected it through the pads of Drew Owsley. Owsley wound up getting a piece of the puck, but could not stop it's momentum entirely, as it trickled across the goal line for the eventual game-winner.
Tri-City coach Jim Hiller pulled Owsley over the final 1:30, but could not get lightning to strike in the waning moments. Owsley wound up with 22 saves on 24 shots in the loss. Meanwhile, Siemens improved to 7-10-2-0 on the year, winning his first game since a 29-save effort back on January 7 against the Americans at Comcast Arena. Tri-City finished the night 0-for-2 on the power play, while Everett went 1-for-3 on the man-advantage.
After a day off on Thursday, the Americans will wrap up the 2010-11 regular season with a tripleheader weekend. Tri-City will kick-off the weekend with a potential first round playoff series preview, as they host the B.C. Division's Chilliwack Bruins (32-30-4-4) on Friday, March 18 at the Toyota Center. Game time is 7:05 p.m. The Bruins come in red hot, having picked up at least one point in nine straight games and have vaulted themselves into the 5th spot in the Conference with two games remaining in their schedule. But, the Americans lead the four-game season series 2 games to 1, having outscored Chilliwack 12 to 3 in their last two meetings. Tickets are available through all Ticketmaster outlets, including online at ticketmaster.com, the Toyota Center box office, or all Fred Meyer outlets. The game will also be broadcast live on NewsTalk 870 AM starting with the Sterling Savings Bank Warm-up Show at 6:45 p.m.
Kruise Reddick's 'Kruisen' for MDA' Challenge Update: After 69 games, Tri-City has recorded 270 goals $1,080
If you would like to join Kruise's MDA Challenge, contact the Americans office at 509.736.0606 and ask how you can contribute.
Western Hockey League Stories from March 17, 2011
- Kelowna and Vancouver prepare for home and home this weekend - Kelowna Rockets
- WHL this Week: Looking Ahead - WHL
- Playoffs within Raiders' Reach - Prince Albert Raiders
- Wheat Kings Team Up With Red Cross In Support Of Japan - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Conference Title at Stake this Weekend; Playoff Tickets on Sale Now - Portland Winterhawks
- Hurricanes Awards Night Friday - Lethbridge Hurricanes
- Blades Recall Forwards Daae and Stovin - Saskatoon Blades
- MTC Centre Playoff Prices Announced - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Siemens Stops 35 in Everett's 2-1 Win Over Tri-City - Tri-City Americans
- Chiefs with 78 Shots, Win 2-1 in Shootout - Spokane Chiefs
- 'Tips Top Tri-City, 2-1 - Everett Silvertips
- Portland Winterhawks Earn 5-3 Win Over Vancouver Wednesday - Portland Winterhawks
- Portland Defeats Vancouver 5-3 - Vancouver Giants
- T-Birds Shoot Down Rockets with Shutout - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Hitmen Dropped By Raiders - Calgary Hitmen
- Rockets Fall to Seattle - Kelowna Rockets
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