It may have only been just a few months ago that the Portland Winterhawks and Tri-City Americans faced off against each other, but another off-season has come and gone. Last night’s puck drop at the Toyota Center marked another season opener for the Americans against the Winterhawks.
For the first time in over 500 days, both teams got to play with fans filling the stands, and neither team disappointed when it came to bringing the action and grit. Tri-City had Portland’s number from the first faceoff to the very last, driving pucks deep and taking the fight to the net. The fans were on their feet from the first shot.
He shoots, he scores!
Parker Bell of Campbell River, BC, opened the scoring for the Americans, assisted by Rhett Melnyk and Petr Moravec, scoring on the first shot taken by Tri-City. It didn’t stop there, though. As the Americans dug in, delivering strong hits and intercepting passes, it was easy to see that Talyn Boyko, coming off of time spent at the New York Rangers camps, was locked in and ready for the shots coming his way. He held the Winterhawks off the board through nearly two periods before two shots slipped through, one of which came during the penalty kill.
By the end of the second period, the score was 3-2 for the Americans. The shots on goal were 27-12 in favor of Portland. Although the lopsided shots count never really changed, Portland’s defense kept Tri-City away from their netminder as much as possible, which worked in their favor when the puck landed on the tape of some of their more experienced players.
It was great to watch a game in person; the Americans looked strong on the ice. Their backchecks were strong, and their follow-through hit hard precisely when and where it was needed. In addition, they stayed in the crease when it counted. Although the PK was one of their weaker aspects last season, it’s easy to see when watching special teams that the Americans have improved where needed. Perhaps, though, taking fewer penalties would be more advantageous.
Ultimately, the special teams helped drive the scoring up, with the Winterhawks capitalizing on two of the six penalties they drew. However, Tri-City was unable to gain ground any of the four times they had the man advantage.
Extra hockey?
When the buzzer sounded at the end of the third, hardly anyone left their seats. The game was far from over. All tied up at four apiece, the American’s season opener was going into overtime for the second time in a row, and against the same team. Who doesn’t love extra hockey? Possibly that answer belongs to the Winterhawks fans.
Overtime for the Americans and the Winterhawks was a chippy affair, both sides drawing a penalty each, with Portland taking one more for good measure. However, no one scored on the man advantage.
Winner winner chicken dinner
A shootout in the first game of the season? That sounds like fun! A battle of the goalies? Who doesn’t love that? Boyko and Giannuzzi were both strong in the crease, only allowing one goal each in the shootout. Unfortunately for goaltender Dante Giannuzzi and the Portland Winterhawks, the last goal was the one needed to win, and it was secured by Dwayne Jean Jr, a rookie for the Americans hailing from Edmonton, AB.
WHL, meet Dwayne Jean Jr.
Dwayne Jean Jr., MEET THE HIGHLIGHT REEL! 🎦@TCAmericans | #WHLOpeningWeek pic.twitter.com/FLrOLASWUG
— The WHL (@TheWHL) October 2, 2021
The Americans beat the Winterhawks 5-4 in a shootout. Shots on goal for the game were 42-19 in favor of the Winterhawks.
Tonight the Tri-City Americans are away in Spokane at the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena to face the Chiefs. Puck drop for the game is 7:05 PM.
