Special Teams Cost Americans in Loss to Winterhawks
April 2, 2021 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Tri-City Americans News Release
Tri-City Americans battle the Portland Winterhawks
(Tri-City Americans)
Portland, OR - The Americans are still looking for their first road victory of the season after falling to the Winterhawks 6-2 today in Portland. They return to Tri-City and will take on the winless Spokane Chiefs tomorrow in Kennewick.
After defeating Portland in an opening night overtime thriller on March 18, the Americans came into tonight's game hopeful for another victory. They started strong and got on the board first tonight with a goal from Sasha Mutala. The goal, Mutala's second of the season, came straight of a faceoff assisted by Sam Huo.
Soon after Tri-City's goal, Winterhawk Jonah Bevington took a high-sticking penalty putting the Americans on the power play. Simon Knak was able to capitalize on a turnover for the Winterhawks scoring on a shorthanded breakaway to tie the game at one. Portland leads the WHL with five shorthanded goals this season. Knak has netted three of those.
The game held tied at one into the first intermission. Portland out shot Tri-City 16-8 through the first 20 minutes.
Mutala, a Colorado Avalanche prospect, scored again with a shot from the left circle just 19 seconds into the second period. The goal came directly off a faceoff with Connor Bouchard and Sam Huo picking up assists.
The game turned in favor of the Winterhawks when they capitalized on back-to-back power play opportunities late second period. At the end of the second frame Portland led 3-2.
Tri-City found themselves on a season-high seven penalty kills tonight with Portland scoring on 2/7 of those opportunities. The Americans went 0/2 with a man advantage.
Veteran netminder Talyn Boyko played the full game in net for the Americans, stopping 36 of 41 shots faced.
The Americans were unable to comeback in the third period and ultimately fell 6-2 to Portland.
They return to action tomorrow at the Toyota Center for a 6:05 p.m. puck drop against the Spokane Chiefs. There are no tickets available for the general public at this time.
Final Score: 6-2 POR
Shots: 42-23 POR
Images from this story
 Tri-City Americans battle the Portland Winterhawks |
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