Tri-City Tops Kamloops 5-3
February 3, 2016 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Tri-City Americans News Release
Tri-City Americans Tussle with the Kamloops Blazers
(Tri-City Americans, Credit: John Allen)
Kennewick, WA - The Tri-City Americans (23-25-2-0, 48 pts) scored three goals in the first period, setting the tone for a big 5-3 win over the Kamloops Blazers (23-19-5-3, 54 pts) in front of 2,686 fans at Toyota Center on Tuesday Night.
Tri-City got on the board 1:12 into the first as Morgan Geekie found twine for a 1-0 lead. The lead increased to 2-0 more than a minute later as Mackenze Stewart banged home a backhand shot for his second straight game with a goal. Late in the first, Vladislav Lukin fired a wrist shot through traffic to light the red lamp and make it 3-0 after the first.
Kamloops cut into the lead 6:50 into the second on the power play from Matt Revel, slicing the lead to 3-1. Less than a minute later, the lead was pushed back to three goals, as Parker Bowles fired home a shot from the slot for a 4-1 advantage. With nine seconds left in the second, Gage Quinney scored a power play goal to chop the lead to 4-2 going into the third period.
In the third, Michael Rasmussen skated to the net and slipped the puck between the goalie's legs for a 5-2 lead. Collin Shirley scored late in the third period to decrease the Tri-City lead to 5-3. But that is as close as Kamloops would come, as the Americans earned the win.
Tri-City has won five straight home games and three in a row overall. The win brings Tri-City within four points of the second wild card spot in the Western Conference.
The Americans have scored the first goal in nine of the last 11 games.
The Americans were unable to score with four power play chances and spent 13 minutes in the penalty box. The Blazers converted 2-of-4 power play opportunities and recorded nine penalty minutes.
Evan Sarthou stopped 33 shots in the win while Connor Ingram made 24 saves in the loss.
Tri-City has a couple days off before a pair of games this weekend, starting with the Victoria Royals (31-15-2-3, 67 pts) this Friday, Feb. 5. Game time is at 7:05 p.m. at Toyota Center. Tri-City lost the last meeting against the Royals, 6-2, but have won two of the three meetings this season. Tickets are available at all Ticketmaster locations, including the Toyota Center Box Office, at any Fred Meyer outlet or online at Ticketmaster.com.
Jack in the Box Three Stars
1. Morgan Geekie, Tri-City
2. Parker Bowles, Tri-City
3. Evan Sarthou, Tri-City
Notes: Parker Bowles extended his point streak to nine games with a goal and assist tonight.
Images from this story
 Tri-City Americans Tussle with the Kamloops Blazers (John Allen) |
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