Americans Return Serve with 5-0 Shutout of ‘Hawks
By Dan Mulhausen | Tri-City Americans
PORTLAND, OR – After being dealt their worst loss of the season last week, the Americans needed to make a statement in their return to Memorial Coliseum.
And, behind Drew Owsley’s 30 saves and Kruise Reddick’s three-point night, the Tri-City Americans (34-14-2-1, 71 pts) shutout the host Portland Winterhawks (37-16-0-3, 77 pts) 5-0 in front of 6,352 fans. With the win, Tri-City’s road record bumped up to 13-11-2-0. Additionally, the Americans improved to 5-2-1-0 against the ‘Hawks this season, guaranteeing Tri-City a seventh consecutive series victory over Portland with one meeting remaining. Meanwhile, after being shutout for the first time this season, Portland saw their four-game winning streak come to an end.
Much like their last meeting, penalties played a large factor in the outcome of tonight’s contest. However, unlike last Saturday’s contest, it was Portland who spent the night going in and out of the penalty box.
And, with 8:35 gone of the first period, and skating with a 5-on-3 man-advantage, Tri-City got on the scoreboard first. Camped out backdoor on Mac Carruth, Adam Hughesman buried a pass from Reddick, giving him a team-high 36 goals on the year. But, despite handing the potent Americans’ power play five opportunities, the Hawks stayed within one after one period of play.
However, just 1:18 into the second period, Tri-City got a bit of a gift. After Connor Rankin dumped the puck into the right corner, Patrick Holland chased after it, eventually slinging a slot on Carruth. In the process, the puck glanced off Carruth’s left pad and into the net, putting Tri-City on top 2-0.
It was the first of three second-period goals for the Americans, who added two more in a six-minute span in the back-half of the period. First, at the 11:05 mark of the second, and just seconds after another power play expired, Rankin redirected Jordan Messier’s pass from across the crease, increasing the Americans’ lead to three. Then, with just over three minutes remaining, Brock Sutherland sent a drive on from the left point that found daylight under the glove of Carruth, making it a 4-0 game.
Finally, only 4:10 into the third period, and on yet another power play, Reddick blasted a one-timer past Carruth to cap the scoring in the contest. Tri-City finished the night with a season-high 15 power play opportunities, connecting twice. Meanwhile, Owsley and the Americans’ penalty kill were outstanding, holding Portland scoreless on six man-advantage chances.
Collecting his ninth WHL shutout, Owsley notched his 30th win of the season and 70th of his WHL career. Following the first three minutes of tonight’s contest, Owsley also became just the sixth Americans’ goaltender to play in 6,000 minutes for the franchise. Meanwhile, Carruth finished the night with 34 saves on 39 shots in the loss.
The Americans’ four-games-in-five-nights road swing continues tomorrow, as they head north for a match-up with their division rivals, the Spokane Chiefs (33-15-4-2). Game time is 7:00 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Arena. Saturday’s affair marks the third straight weekend that the two longtime rivals have faced off. Tri-City, which leads the 12-game series 4-1-1-0, enters having won three straight vs. the Chiefs. However, the Americans are 1-1-1-0 at Veterans Memorial Arena this season. Fans can catch all the action live, via WHL Live, at the Americans’ home away from home, Kimo’s Sports Café in Richland. The game will also be broadcast live on NewsTalk 870 AM, starting with the Sterling Savings Bank Warm-up Show at 6:45 p.m.
Applebee’s 3 Stars:
1, Drew Owsley, Tri-City
2, Kruise Reddick, Tri-City
3, Connor Rankin, Tri-City
