'Tips Bounce Past Americans 5-2
Published on March 5, 2008 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Tri-City Americans News Release
KENNEWICK, WA - Everett goaltender Leland Irving is praying to the goal post gods tonight.
After numerous Tri-City shots rang off the posts, Irving collected 24 saves and Dan Gendur scored twice to lead the Everett Silvertips (38-25-0-3, 79 pts) to a 5-2 victory over the Tri-City Americans (47-15-2-2, 98 pts) on Tuesday night at Toyota Center. The win was the ninth in their past 10 games for the surging 'Tips, who have defeated Tri-City in their last three match-ups. Meanwhile, the loss snapped the Americans' three-game winning streak and gave them back-to-back losses at home for only the second time this season. The two will wrap-up their 10-game series next week in Everett.
In what is always a physical, fast-paced match-up, Tri-City and Everett were scoreless headed into the first intermission. However, Everett broke the deadlock at the 5:31 mark of the second period. After following up a Kyle Beach shot, Shane Harper connected for his 16th goal of the season.
But, nearly 10 minutes later and on the power play, Tri-City responded offensively, sort of. Jason Reese dumped the puck into the Everett zone, but as a 'Tips defender went to clear the puck, it glanced off the back of Irving and straight into the net for the Americans first goal. Reese was credited with his 22nd goal of the season on the play.
The game remained tied at 1 until 8:14 into the third period. Gendur found his way through the Tri-City power play unit and tallied a shorthanded goal to put the 'Tips up 2-1. However, just over a minute later on that same power play, Taylor Procyshen used his fifth goal in as many games to tie the game again, this time at 2 all.
Just as the ice was starting to tilt in Tri-City's favor, Everett's Zack Dailey picked up an Americans' turnover and raced in on starting goaltender, Chet Pickard. Dailey buried the puck for just his fifth goal of the season and silenced the 3,467 in attendance. With less than two minutes remaining in regulation, Matt Ius took the wind completely out of Tri-City's sails with his fourth goal of the season. Gendur then capped the scoring with an empty net goal with six seconds remaining in the contest. Pickard finished the night with 23 saves. Tri-City was 2-for-8 on the power play and a perfect 6-for-6 on the penalty kill.
With two big points off the table in the loss to Everett, Tri-City now heads into a big battle with the Spokane Chiefs on Friday, March 7 at Veterans Memorial Arena. Game time is 7:00 p.m. The Americans sit just four points up on the Chiefs in the U.S. Division race, while Spokane holds two games in hand. The Chiefs have won the past two games against Tri-City, but the Americans lead the 12-game series 6-4. You can catch all the action live on NewsTalk 870 AM, starting with the Budweiser Warm-up Show at 6:45 p.m. The game will also be broadcast live on Charter Channel 3 or My Network 280. And, as always, you catch all the action live, via WHL WebTV, at the Americans' home away from home, Kimo's Sports Café and R.F. McDougall's in Richland.
Western Hockey League Stories from March 5, 2008
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- Americans Announce 2008 First Round Playoff Dates - Tri-City Americans
- Bruins Sell out Sunday, Two players added - Chilliwack Bruins
- Can Another Raider Fan Win Big? - Prince Albert Raiders
- Juha Metsola named ADT CHL Goaltender of the Week - WHL
- 'Tips Bounce Past Americans 5-2 - Tri-City Americans
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