After playing three times in Alberta over four days, the Tri-City Americans (11-7-0-1) had a much lighter schedule this past week. They played just once over a 10-day span.
The lone game was a very tough loss that saw the Americans fall just 50 seconds short of gaining at least one point at home against their U.S. Division rivals, the Spokane Chiefs.
Saturday, November 15th: Spokane 4 @Tri-City 3
Spokane was actually up 2-0 halfway through the game off goals by Adam Beckman and Cordel Larson, but a goal from defenseman Bryan McAndrews cut that lead in half.
It was a very skilled play by McAndrews, who forced a turnover at the Spokane blue line and then picked a spot on Chiefs goalie Lukáš Pařík.
Bear Hughes got that goal right back for Spokane as he scored the second goal in the period on Tri-City goalie Beck Warm, who faced 18 total shots in the frame.
Warm turned away 35-of-39 shots he faced.
Then, on the power play, Connor Bouchard showed off what a creator he has developed into with a marvelous back door pass to Nick Bowman.
Blake Stevenson found a loose puck midway through the third and tied the game at three.
The goal was his first since returning to action off an injury this season.
“Nice to see Blake score. He adds speed and depth to our lineup. He now is starting to get his timing back after missing an extended period of time last season and at the beginning of this season,” Tri-City governor and general manager Bob Tory said.
Filip Král then disappointed the 4,938 fans present as he drove the Americans zone and took his time before finding Beckman for the game winner with just 50 seconds left.
“Obviously disappointing how the game ended. Was a playoff type atmosphere with a big crowd. You want to be able to stretch those games into overtime to give yourself a chance for extra points in a very tough U.S. Division,” Tory stated.
Tri-City was 1-for-3 on the power play and 2-for-2 on the penalty kill.
This week:
A much busier week looms with the team’s first three-in-three weekend of the season. “We only play three three-in-three weekends this year. It is part of the WHL schedule and you need to prepare one game at a time and not focus too far ahead,” Tory relayed.
Friday, November 22nd: vs Winnipeg ICE
-It’s the return of former Americans forward Isaac Johnson. He put up 80 points over 99 games with Tri-City.
Saturday, November 23rd: vs Kelowna Rockets
-Overage defenseman Carson Sass comes in with the 2020 Memorial Cup hosts. He played in the preseason with the Americans.
Sunday, November 23rd: @Everett Silvertips
-This is the third game between the two teams. Both have one win apiece.
Krivokrasov moved
19-year-old forward Nikita Krivokrasov was traded yesterday. With Stevenson finally getting healthy along with Parker Bell and others, the Americans had 16 forwards on the roster.
They dealt Krivokrasov, who had two goals and two assists for four points in 10 games, for a conditional eighth-round pick in the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft.
“With 16 forwards on the roster we needed to reduce numbers. This gives Nikita an opportunity to play in the Western Hockey League. We wish him nothing but the best,” Tory said in a press release put out by the team.
Krivokrasov was listed by the Americans after playing in the NAHL last season. He had two goals in his first regular season game.
The American Way…
-2002-born signed forward Sequoia Swan has put up eight points in 23 games for the OCN Blizzard of the MJHL.
-15-year-old signed forward Jake Sloan has 14 points in 14 games with the Leduc Oil Kings of the AMHL.
-2002-born signed d-man Jarrod Newell has two assists over eight games with the Camrose Kodiaks of the AMHL.
-2003-born signed defenseman Carson Haynes has out up four points over 13 games with the Lethbridge Hurricanes of the AMHL.
-2003-born signed netminder Mason Dunsford has now played in five games in the PIJHL with the Port Moody Panthers. He has a 3.77 GAA and .889 save percentage.
