Tri-City Americans Cruise Past Portland Winterhawks, 6-2

MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com -KENNEWICK, WA - One game after being touched up for five goals in 28 minutes, Drew Owsley and the Americans listened to a little Bob Marley and played their Redemption Song on Wednesday night.

Owsley had 24 saves, Justin Feser collected two goals and three points and the Tri-City Americans (19-6-0-0, 38 pts) ran past the visiting Portland Winterhawks (16-12-0-0, 32 pts) 6-2 in front of 3,764 fans at the Toyota Center.  With the win, the Americans improved to 10-1 on home ice this year and have beaten the ‘Hawks in their first three match-ups this season.  Meanwhile, Portland saw their losing skid hit four games and have lost seven of their last 10 games.  During their losing streak, the ‘Hawks have allowed 6+ goals in all four of their losses.

Entering tonight’s contest, Owsley had responded well following a loss this season, going 3-1 with a 1.76 goals against average and a 0.931 save percentage.  Wednesday’s contest was more of the same, as he and the Tri-City defense made stop after stop.

While on the power play, the all-important first tally for Tri-City came at the 7:02 mark of the first period.  Feser notched his first of the night after he tipped in a Brett Plouffe shot, between the pads of starter Ian Curtis, for the 1-0 lead.  Just 41 seconds later, Johnny Lazo quickly made it 2-0 when Adam Hughesman’s shot glanced off Curtis’ glove and landed in the crease.  Lazo was there to tap it in and chase Curtis from the game.

With 3:44 remaining in the first period back-up Mac Carruth didn’t fare much better, giving up a goal to Kruise Reddick in the slot, as the Americans took a 3-0 lead into the first break.

The ‘Hawks came out of the locker room to start the second period determined to lay a check on every Tri-City player that touched the puck.  However, their physical play over the remainder of the contest cost the ‘Hawks in the long run.

Portland, though, got a bit of momentum while on the penalty kill when Stefan Schneider took off on a short-handed breakaway.  His shot clanked off the post, but the rebound hit Owsley in the back and trickled across the goal line, putting the ‘Hawks on the board at the 15:12 mark.  Tri-City showed their resolve by not allowing the bad break to get them down and, just 1:49 later and back on the power play, Feser banged in another Plouffe rebound to make it a 4-1 game.

With 6:31 gone in the third period and, for the 8th time in 11 home games this season, the Americans sent their fans home with free burgers from Burger Ranch when Neal Prokop broke in all alone on Carruth and beat him on the blocker side.

Just 1:33 later, Portland’s Schneider tallied his second of the night when his shot glanced off the bottom of Owsley’s glove and across the line, pulling the ‘Hawks to within three.  But, with 9:31 remaining in the contest and on the power play, Jarrett Toll beat Carruth with a shot from the right circle, capping the scoring in the contest.  Carruth, who was credited with the loss, stopped 30 of the 34 shots he faced in the loss.

Tri-City, who outshot Portland 20 to 6 in the third period, finished with a 42 to 26 advantage.  The Americans went 3-for-8 on the power play and a perfect 4-for-4 on the penalty kill.

The Americans can now set their sights on their arch rivals, the Spokane Chiefs, who visit the Toyota Center on Friday, November 27.  Game time is set for 7:05 p.m.  Tri-City currently leads the best-of-12 regular season series 2 games to 1, with those two wins coming in their last two match-ups with the Chiefs.  Spokane, meanwhile, is 2-2 in their last four trips to Kennewick and comes in having won four of their last six games.  One of the hotter teams in the League as of late, the Chiefs are averaging 1.8 goals/against over that six game span.  Tickets are available through all Ticketmaster outlets, including the Toyota Center box office, all Fred Meyer outlets, or online at ticketmaster.com.  The game will also be broadcast live on NewsTalk 870 AM, starting with the Sterling Savings Bank Warm-up Show at 6:45 p.m.

Applebee’s 3 Stars:

1, Justin Feser, Tri-City

2, Sergei Drozd, Tri-City

3, Johnny Lazo, Tri-City

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