WHL Wenatchee Wild

Tri-City Grabs Early Lead, Takes 2-1 Win Over Wild Wednesday

October 18, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Wenatchee Wild News Release


Tri-City Americans' Parker Bel battles Wenatchee Wild's Kenta Isogai
Tri-City Americans' Parker Bel battles Wenatchee Wild's Kenta Isogai
(Wenatchee Wild, Credit: Mary Gates/Tri-City Americans)

KENNEWICK, Wash. - There was no question on Wednesday night that the Wenatchee Wild got their chances in a midweek matchup against the Tri-City Americans. Lukas Matecha turned away all but one of them to give the Americans a 2-1 win over the Wild at Toyota Center in their first official get-together as Western Hockey League U.S. Division opponents.

The Wild notched 29 shots on the Tri-City net in the game and turned away all four Americans power plays, enjoying a sizable advantage at the faceoff dot as well. However, the hosts got the first two goals of the game to build the lead they needed.

The first goal belonged to Max Curran on a wrist shot from the left point, giving Tri-City the lead 8:18 into the game. The difference-maker came from Deagan McMillan in transition with 8:35 remaining in the second, snapping home a Parker Bell one-timer from just off the left-wing faceoff dot.

That goal became the critical marker thanks to a redirect in front of the net from Miles Cooper with 2:06 left in the period, on a shot from Graham Sward at the left point. That marker cut the lead back to a goal, but the teams battled to a scoreless draw the rest of the way.

"I thought we out-chanced them, and we had the better-quality chances," said Wild head coach Roy Sommer. "We had a lot of good looks from a lot of guys, and the effort was there. I thought their goalie was the difference-maker."

Daniel Hauser made 26 saves on 28 Tri-City shots, keeping the Wild within striking distance from start to finish, while Matecha stopped 28 of 29 Wenatchee chances to earn his fourth victory on the season. Cooper's goal was a critical one for Sward and Briley Wood, who notched the secondary assist - Sward's point extended his scoring streak to eight straight games with at least a point, in addition to the last regular-season game in 2022-23. Wood's helper pushed his run to seven straight games with a point.

After a season-long eight-game road swing, the tide turns back toward Town Toyota Center for the Wild, with six of the next seven games on the schedule set to be played on home ice. Up first is a Friday contest against the Vancouver Giants, as the team hosts Wild About Awareness Non-Profit Night, presented by Papa Murphy's Pizza. Friday's opening puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Tickets for that game and all Wenatchee Wild home regular-season contests are on sale now at 509-888-7825, or by visiting the team office at Town Toyota Center. Updated news and information on Wild hockey are always available through the team's website and on the team's social media platforms on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

Check out the Wenatchee Wild Statistics




Images from this story

Tri-City Americans' Parker Bel battles Wenatchee Wild's Kenta Isogai
Tri-City Americans' Parker Bel battles Wenatchee Wild's Kenta Isogai
(Mary Gates/Tri-City Americans)		   



Western Hockey League Stories from October 18, 2023


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