Judy Simpson

Tri-City Americans Notebook: Zazula added to the fold and losing streak ended in style

After trading away five different players since the end of last season, a majority of which were overagers that had to be moved to get them down to three, the Tri-City Americans made their first addition through trade last week.

They moved a second and third round WHL Bantam Draft picks in 2021 to the Kamloops Blazers for 2000-born defenseman Luke Zazula.

Luke Zazula (Photo-Judy Simpson)

The 5-foot-8, 170 pound native of Langley, B.C., had nine goals and 43 assists for 52 points over 185 games spanning parts of five seasons

His 27 points last season were the second-most of any Kamloops blueliner. He did this while missing five games.

The point total is evidence of the type of defenseman Zazula is.

“I’m a two-way d-man maybe more of an offensive-minded guy… I like jumping into the rush and helping the forwards out and creating offense and yeah scoring when I can and just getting the puck to the net,” Zazula stated.

Tri-City governor and general manager Bob Tory relayed that the team has been looking for someone with Zazula’s skill set.

“We have been looking for an offensive puck moving d man since the start of the season.  The prices are the prices.”

Two picks in the first three rounds of the 2021 draft may seem high but there was obviously a demand for someone who can push the puck up the ice like the smooth-skating Zazula.

Zazula did not have much time in a new country with a new team before he played with them. Friday night he made his debut against the Victoria Royals.

“I got here a few days ago and then a quick pregame skate and a couple games in hand with the team so far. I like it here so far. They have a really good group of guys and billets. It’s a little different because it’s America but I’m having fun so far,” Zazula relayed.

He did not get his first practice in with the team until Tuesday. Despite not having had the chance to build much chemistry yet, Zazula tallied his first point with his new team with an assist against the Giants on Saturday.

Tory has liked what he has seen so far from Zazula. 16-year-old rookie Marc Lajoie currently leads the Americans blue line in goals with three. Zazula should be able to help with that area of need.

“Luke plays the game hard and with intensity. He moves the puck quickly and efficiently from the d-zone and has the ability to QB the power play. He has fit in nicely without any practice time and makes our team better.”

Zazula is looking forward to playing full time in the U.S. Division.

“A lot of the boys in my years say that you haven’t played in the Western League until you are in the U.S Division so I’m here now… It’s a little bit faster here… I think it definitely suits my style of game more. I think there’s a bit more skill over here.”

His team did right the ship in his second game with the Americans. After a six-game losing streak, they found the win column in a big way vs the Giants.


Let’s take a look at last week’s games:

Wednesday, 11/27: Saskatoon 2 @Tri-City 1

It was another tough, close loss for the Americans as the visiting Saskatoon Blades scored twice in the early going of the third period and then held on late.

The Blades’ win kept them from losing all five games against the U.S. Division on that leg of their seven-game road trip.

Edge Lambert (Photo-Scott Butner)

Beck Warm was again solid for the Americans, turning away 43-of-45 and keeping his team in the game.

Booker Daniel then laid out and slid home his second goal this season off a play set up by Sasha Mutala with 4:09 left.

The Americans pressed late and had some looks at the net behind Saskatoon goalie Nolan Maier, but could not push a puck past him.

He stopped 23-of-24 overall.

Things got a bit ugly late as Blades d-man Scott Walford engaged with Connor Bouchard and the result was a blow to the head area of Bouchard as he was falling to the ice. Walford was assessed a five minute major and game misconduct for checking to the head. He was not suspended for the play, however.


Friday, 11/29: Victoria 3 @Tri-City 1

With Zazula in the fold, the Americans fell to the Royals, evening up their four-game season series at a win apiece.

Gary Haden took a feed in the slot to open the scoring in the first for Victoria but that was all the scoring until into the third.

Warm and former Winterhawks goalie Shane Farkas was a big reason why. Farkas stopped 30-of-31 overall and Warm turned away 26-of-28.

Edge Lambert finally got the Americans on the board with his sixth of the season, tying the game. Bouchard and Paycen Bjorklund both made nifty plays to the get the puck back door and Lambert was there winning his net-front battle and tapping it in.

With 7:47 left in regulation though, Haden set up Graeme Bryks and with two chances on Warm, he scored the eventual game-winner.

The Americans did get a power play with 1:23 left and pulled Warm for an extra attacker. They had their chances, but Farkas and the Royals held tight and Beck’s brother, Will Warm sealed the game with a short-handed empty netter.


Saturday, 11/30: Tri-City 5 vs Vancouver 1

The losing streak was emphatically ended on Saturday at the expense of the defending Western Conference champions.

Tristen Nielsen actually opened the scoring for the Giants, but it was all Americans after that.

Bouchard again was a key playmaker for Tri-City, setting up both of the first two goals. He made a very slick backhand pass to Zazula who gave it right back to him for the back door snipe. The goal was Bocuhard’s sixth this season and came on the power play.

Luke Zazula (Photo-Scott Butner)

Then he made an incredible pass off the rush to an open Lambert, who slammed home his second in as many games.

Nick Bowman made it 3-1 off a backhand shot in tight on Vancouver goalie Trent Miner. He was set up by Krystof Hrabik.

The power play made it 4-1 as Lambert followed up chances from Hrabik and Mutala for his eighth of the season.

Hrabik added a short-handed empty netter for the 5-1 final.

Talyn Boyko made 23 saves in the third period and 43 overall in the win.

The power play went 2-for-4 and the top line of Mutala, Lambert, and Bouchard combined for eight points.

Hrabik added three points as well.

“We have been playing well, however falling short on the scoreboard. Saturday we were able to break out and score some goals. Eventually, if you stick with it and play the right way the puck will bounce for you. We were able to convert offensively on Saturday against a very good Vancouver team,” Tory said.


This week:

Saturday, 12/7: @Spokane

-The Chiefs have won two of three so far in the season series. All three games were won by the road team.

Sunday, 12/8: @Vancouver

-Season series is 1-1 with both teams winning their games by three or more goals.


The American Way…

-Lambert had three goals and an assist last week and has four goals over his last four games. His 14 points have him tied with Olson for third on the team in scoring. Mutala (28 points) and Bouchard (20) are the top two.

-Hrabik now has five points in his last five games. He had six points over 15 games prior to that.

-The power play is 19-for-92 which is 20.6% and 10th in the 22 team league. Meanwhile, their PK is 4th overall at 84.8%.

Tom Cadieux and Olson continue to be out day-to-day. Defenseman Mitchell Brown was added to the injury report and is out “TBD’ with an upper-body injury. He missed the games on Friday and Saturday. His last game in the lineup, Wednesday with Saskatoon, he got into two different fights. One with Chase Wouters and the other with Randen Schmidt.