Gavin’s OT winner lifts Americans over Winterhawks
Kennewick, WA – Jordan Gavin scored the overtime winner and Kyle Kelsey made 49 saves as the Tri-City Americans picked up a 4-3 win over the Portland Winterhawks Friday night.
The Americans got the scoring started when Deagan McMillan found a loose puck in the slot before turning and firing it toward the net, beating Jan Spunar with his 16th of the season. Parker Bell got the only assist on the goal at 7:33.
The lead lasted for nearly eight minutes before the Winterhawks started pouring on the pressure, eventually tying the game. Josh Zakreski sent the puck to the net and Kelsey made the initial stop, but Diego Buttazzoni pulled the rebound around Kelsey and tucked it home at 15:25.
Portland scored another three minutes later when Marcus Nguyen jammed home his own rebound during a delayed Americans penalty, giving the Winterhawks a 2-1 lead after one. Shots were 17-5 through 20 minutes.
Tri-City failed to connect on a lengthy 5-on-3 power play to start the second period, but made good on their third power play of the game later on. Gavin’s low shot was stopped by Spunar but the rebound came out to Cruz Pavao who pounded it home, scoring his fourth goal of the year in just his sixth career game, to tie things up.
Just over a minute later Mason Finley’s cantering pass from the goal line bounced off the skate of Spunar and into the net for his first goal of the season, quickly giving the Americans a 3-2 lead. Moments later, Kainoah Brankovic nearly extended the lead with a shot off the post. Despite being outshot 16-5 in the period, the Americans took a 3-2 lead into the intermission.
Portland threw everything at the net in the third period, eventually outshooting the Americans 17-3. Kelsey stood tall in the Tri-City crease, keeping his team ahead until late in the game when the Winterhawks tied it.
A shot from Buttazzoni hit the inside of Kesley’s blocker, which saw the rebound deflect out to his left instead of his right. Zakreski was heading to the net on the chance and saw the puck slide right to him, tucking home the tying goal with just 3:39 left in regulation.
In overtime Bell had the puck along the right-wing boards in the neutral zone before spotting Gavin streaking into the Portland zone on the other side of the ice. Bell fed him the pass and Gavin skated in on Spunar, pulling the puck to his backhand and ending the game with his 23rd of the season.
Tri-City’s busy weekend continues as they welcome the Spokane Chiefs Saturday night at 6:00. It’s the final home game of the season for the Americans who will honor general manager Bob Tory before the game, commemorating his 2,000th game as a WHL GM.
