RECAP: Americans eliminated from playoff contention with loss to Spokane
Kennewick, WA. – The Tri-City Americans (26-34-4-1) fell behind just 37 seconds into the game and the Spokane Chiefs (35-29-1-0) never looked back, cruising to a 7-2 final at the Toyota Center Saturday night.
Owen Martin scored the game’s opening goal shortly after puck drop as a point shot hit him in the leg and deflected past Ryan Grout.
Five minutes later Spokane struck just six seconds into a power play, doubling their lead to 2-0. The Chiefs then added a second power play goal later in the period, taking a 3-0 advantage into the intermission.
Spokane then scored three goals in 2:48 during the second period, jumping out to a 6-0 lead just past the halfway mark of the game.
Tri-City was able to respond during a four-minute power play in the late stages of the second when Connor Dale fired a shot past the blocker of Carter Esler and in. It was Dale’s 25th of the season with Aden Bouchard and Savin Virk drawing assists.
The third period seemed to have a more back-and-forth flow to it as the two teams played a 7:46 seconds stretch without a whistle. The teams traded goals late in regulation with Dominik Petr and Cruz Pavao scoring, bringing the final score to 7-2.
With the loss, combined with the Seattle Thunderbirds win over Portland, the Americans have mathematically been eliminated from playoff contention.
The team returns to action Tuesday evening with a road game against the Penticton Vees (41-14-6-4).
Announced attendance was 5,652.
