Kalinachenko and Bishop Allen Douglas

Injury riddled Americans down Blazers 4-1 in Kamloops

Kamloops, B.C. Both the Tri-City Americans (22-12-5-0, 49 pts.) and the Kamloops Blazers (17-20-1-2, 37 pts.) were looking a little different on Sunday evening. The Americans completed a monster trade on Saturday evening which sent forward Carson Focht and defenseman Dakota Krebs to the Calgary Hitmen in exchange for defenseman Jake Bean. Bean won’t join the team until later this week. With injuries to forwards Michael Rasmussen, Morgan Geekie, and Kyle Olson, and defenseman Juuso Välimäki, the Americans were sporting a rookie heavy roster in Kamloops. Kamloops also had some changes just hours before puck drop as they sent forward Garrett Pilon and defenseman Ondrej Vala to Everett in another big trade. This game was a prime opportunity for the young guys on both teams to get some quality time and see what they have.

Regardless of the players missing, the Americans are still a deep team. It was a familiar face who would get Tri-City on the board first as Parker AuCoin netted his 3rd goal in two games on an Americans power play. AuCoin picked up a rebound by Kamloops goaltender Dylan Ferguson right in front of the net and buried his 11th of the season. For the Americans to stay in it as they battle through injuries, players like AuCoin continuing to step up is going to be key. The Americans penalty kill was tested later on in the opening frame as Kamloops was awarded an extended 5-on-3 chance. Just twenty-nine seconds after rookie forward Paycen Bjorklund was called for holding, goalie Patrick Dea was assessed a tripping penalty. The penalty was served by AuCoin. Kamloops was never really able to get anything going, and the Americans eighth ranked penalty kill was able to keep the Blazers off the board. Kamloops would finish the period with the 11-5 shot advantage, but Tri-City left the ice with the 1-0 lead.

Photo by Judy Simpson

It was a not so familiar face who would extend the Americans lead to two in the second. Defenseman Tyler Jette, would score on his first shot, on his first shift, in his first WHL game. His shot from the point, deflected by a Kamloops player, went high and over the shoulder of Ferguson. Despite being down, the Blazers were getting their chances. They had five power play opportunities through the first two periods but were unable to convert on any of them. The Americans, however, extended their lead to three on their third power play opportunity. AuCoin took a pass on the right side and delivered a perfect cross ice pass to forward Jordan Topping who notched his 21st of the year. The Americans were threatening to run away with it until late in the middle frame. Both teams were skating four aside, when forward Quinn Benjafield slid a soft backhander just behind a committed Dea for his 11th of the year. The Americans outshot the Blazers 15-14 in the second and more importantly had the 3-1 lead.

Play in the third period was fast, with very few whistles. The Blazers won the energy and intensity battle, getting plenty of quality chances in front of Dea. In the end though, Dea would stop all eight shots he faced in the third, and rookie forward Sasha Mutala would get an empty net goal to seal the 4-1 win. Mutala now has goals in three straight games for Tri-City. The Blazers won the shots-on-goal battle 33-27, but Dea finished with 32 saves for his 10th victory of the season. Tri-City finished 2-for-4 on the man-advantage and killed all five Kamloops power plays. The Tri-City power play is clicking well lately and is currently ranked third in the league. The Americans will look to close out this five game road trip with a win Wednesday night in Everett. The Americans sit just one point back of the Silvertips for first place in the U.S. Division with three games-in-hand on Everett. Kamloops will host Spokane on Tuesday night.