WHL Tri-City Americans

Tri-City Bests Portland 2-1; Magic Number Down to Two

Published on March 15, 2007 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Tri-City Americans News Release


KENNEWICK, WA - With four games left to play in the season and, relegated to last in the U.S. Division, the Portland Winter Hawks do not have much to play for these days. But, you would not have guessed by watching their game against the Tri-City Americans at the Toyota Center.

The Portland Winter Hawks (16-50-1-2, 35 pts) came to play on Wednesday night, but fell just short in their chance to end the Tri-City Americans (44-23-1-1, 90 pts) home-winning streak. Shaun Vey netted the game winning goal in the second period to give Tri-City a 2-1 win, as the Americans collected their 12th-straight win at home. Tri-City, winners of their last six games against the 'Hawks, closes out the nine-game series against Portland with a 7-2 record. Elsewhere, in the race for home-ice advantage in the first-round of the WHL Play-offs, Seattle held on to defeat Kamloops to stay within four points of Tri-City. Any combination of a Tri-City win or Seattle loss in their last three games will clinch second-place for the Americans.

With just over nine minutes to play in the first period, Portland's Colton Sceviour put the 'Hawks on the board first. After a Tri-City turnover while entering the Portland zone, the 'Hawks' Nick Hotson and Sceviour broke in on Americans' goaltender Chet Pickard in a 2-on-1 situation. From the right side, Sceviour deeked Pickard to the ground and then shot the puck under Pickard's stick for the 1-0 lead. For Sceviour, it was his ninth goal of the season and his second in his last six games.

While on the power play, Tri-City answered 3:38 later, as defenseman T.J. Fast beat Portland net minder Kurtis Mucha to tie the game at 1-apiece. For Fast, it was his four goal of the season and extended his point-streak to six games. In that span, Fast has notched three goals and 10 points.

Then, with 8:24 gone in the second period, Colton Yellow Horn broke out Vey from center ice to set up Vey's game-winning goal. Vey followed up on his own rebound to register his 23rd goal and seventh game-winning goal of the season. Meanwhile, after chipping in on both goals, Yellow Horn's two-point night gives him 75 points on the season, which ties his 2005-06 season mark he set with Lethbridge. Also assisting on the play was Joel Broda, who picked up his 40th point of the season and his seventh point in his last three games.

After making a huge glove save with under five minutes to play in the third period to maintain Tri-City's one goal lead, Pickard recorded his 15th win of the season. It was Pickard's first win since his shutout performance against Kelowna on Feb. 9. On the other end, Mucha finished with 32 saves on 34 shots faced in a deserving performance. Tri-City went 1-for-9 on the power play, while Portland was 0-for-8 on the man-advantage.

With Seattle refusing to wilt in the race for home-ice in the first round, Tri-City must now turn their attention to the U.S. Division-champion Everett Silvertips. The Americans and 'Tips, who will make their second visit to the Toyota Center in less than a week, will wrap-up their eight-game regular season series on Friday, March 16. Game time is 7:05 PM. You can catch all the action this Wednesday, and all season long, at the Toyota Center in Kennewick as well as live on NewsTalk 870 AM. The broadcast starts with the Budweiser Warm-Up Show, which begins 15 minutes before game time. Game tickets are available through all TicketsWest outlets, including Red Lion Hotels, by calling 1-800-325-SEAT (7328), or by visiting the Americans website at www.amshockey.com.

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Western Hockey League Stories from March 15, 2007


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