Doug Love

Tri-City continues its winning ways against Spokane

Spokane, Wa. The Tri-City Americans (11-4-2-0, 24pts.) have been quite a thorn in the side of their bitter rivals, the Spokane Chiefs (8-7-1-2, 19pts.) over the past two seasons. The Americans have won 11 of the past 13 meetings putting them firmly in control of the latest chapter of this storied rivalry. Spokane would probably like to turn that page and start a new one. That would not be the case on this Saturday night as Tri-City once again took down their rivals 3-2 in a shootout at the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena in front of 7,365 fans.

Offense…both of these teams have the ability to flex their offensive ability at any time. The last time these two clubs played each other, the Chiefs carried a 2-0 lead into the third period. The Americans ended up scoring five unanswered in that period to get the 5-2 win. So the fact that both teams combined for a total of 34 shots in the opening period in this game was no surprise. But goaltending would be the story of the opening frame, as both Dawson Weatherill of Spokane and Patrick Dea for the Americans stood strong. It was the Americans, however, who were able to break through first. Tri-City forward Kyle Olson scored his third of the season after some great passing from center Michael Rasmussen and  defenseman Juuso Välimäki found Olson streaking towards the net and getting the tip-in. Both teams traded a power play opportunity in the period, but Olson’s goal was the only scoring. Tri-City outshot Spokane 18-16 in the opening frame.

The Americans had several breakaway chances in this game, but Välimäki’s shorthanded one in the second period is a possible goal of the year candidate. With Americans’ rookie defenseman Mitchell Brown in the box serving a hooking penalty, the Chiefs found themselves on their second power play of the night. Tri-City defenseman Brett Clayton was able to force a turnover in neutral ice and get the puck up to Välimäki who skated in all alone on Weatherill. Välimäki pulled the puck behind him and fired a shot from between his legs that beat a stunned Weatherill. The two goal cushion wouldn’t last long, however, as thirty-four seconds later, Jaret Anderson-Dolan netted his 6th of the season on the same power play. Both teams continued to buzz for the remainder of the period but there would be no more scoring in the middle frame. Tri-City held the shot advantage again 16-11 for the period.

Entering the final frame down by one, the Chiefs came out buzzing right away. Much of the play was in the Americans’ end with the Chiefs getting a plethora of chances. Spokane would get 18 shots in the third period to the Americans 9. Dea played extremely well, but the Chiefs were able to get the equalizer halfway through the period as Cedric Chenier netted his first WHL goal at the 10:45 mark. It was all the scoring either team would muster up in regulation. The Americans would end up playing in their fourth straight overtime game.

The Chiefs would be the recipient of a very advantageous kneeing call to Olson just fourteen seconds into overtime. Spokane would get several shots and chances on the 4-on-3 advantage but they were unable to convert. Play would return to 3-on-3 but neither team was able to convert before the end of overtine. The Chiefs badly outshot the Americans 7-2 in the extra frame and 52-45 in the game. Dea was the story for the Americans as he entered the shootout with 50 saves on the night. The strong play by both goaltenders in the game indicated the possibility of a long shootout. Seven rounds is what it took as Hudson Elynuik and Nolan Reid scored for Spokane, and Olson, Parker Aucoin, and Carson Focht netting goals for Tri-City with the winner going to Focht. The Americans took the win 3-2, and moved to 12-2 in their last 14 games against their closest rival.

Spokane was 1-for-5 on the power play while Tri-City went 0-for-2 on the man advantage. The Americans have not lost in regulation in their past 10 games going 8-0-2-0 in that stretch. They currently sit in a tie with Portland at 24 pts for first place in the U.S. Division. The Chiefs sit at 4th place in the U.S. Division with 19 pts. Spokane will play against Lethbridge and Kootenay on the road next weekend, while Tri-City will travel to Seattle and Portland next weekend.