Tri-City Takes Marathon Win in Game Two; Defeats Spokane 1-0 in 2OT
Published on April 21, 2008 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Tri-City Americans News Release
KENNEWICK, WA - Two games, two double overtimes and only two goals scored.
The 2008 Western Conference Finals are living up to the hype.
Just 4:17 into the second overtime period, Drew Hoff registered the game-winning goal, giving the Tri-City Americans their first win in the best-of-seven series over the Spokane Chiefs while tying the series at 1 game apiece. The win also marked the first Conference Finals home victory in Americans' franchise history. With over 165 minutes of hockey played through Games 1 and 2, the series will now shift north to Veterans Memorial Arena, for Game 3 tomorrow night. Game time is 7:00 p.m. in Spokane.
In a near identical performance of Game 1 on Friday, the Americans and Chiefs went toe-to-toe throughout the game's first 60 minutes. Time after time, players from both sides headed to the bench shaking their heads as shots rang off the posts, passes just missed their marks and terrific saves from both starting goaltenders left the scoreboard empty.
It wasn't until overtime number two, that Hoff electrified the Toyota Center with his second goal of the post-season. Hoff, who has five goals this season, has had a flare for the dramatic, notching his fourth game-winning goal of the season. Blair Macaulay also assisted on the play.
Both Dustin Tokarski and Chet Pickard have shined thus far in the series, collecting identical 0.36 goals against averages. However, Hoff's goal snapped Tokarski's scoreless minutes streak that ended at 186.14. Meanwhile, Pickard, who picked up 45 saves and his third shutout of the playoffs on Sunday, has 81 saves in the series.
On the night, Tri-City was 0-for-4 on the power play, but their penalty kill went 9-for-9 to improve their league-best penalty killing percentage to 89.7% in the playoffs.
With less than 24 hours to recuperate, the two rivals will prepare to face-off in Game 3 on Monday, April 21st at the Arena in Spokane. The Americans won four of six regular season games in Spokane. Including the post-season, the average margin of victory in the Tri-City/Spokane series this season is 2.21 goals, which means fans are likely in for more of the same.
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- Tri-City Takes Marathon Win in Game Two; Defeats Spokane 1-0 in 2OT - Tri-City Americans
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