RECAP: Americans fall 2-1 in tight game with Kamloops
Kennewick, WA. – Tri-City Americans (0-1-0-1) and Kamloops Blazers (1-1-0-0) were deadlocked in a tight game from wire to wire at the Toyota Center Friday night, with Kamloops hanging on for a 2-1 win.
Kamloops wasted no time jumping ahead as they took the lead just 11 seconds into the game. A shot from near the blue line by Isa Guram hit Jacob Dumansky in front of the net and deflected sharply to the left, catching Ryan Grout leaning the other way.
The goal was reviewed by the officials but eventually ruled legal to put the Americans down 1-0.
Tri-City then responded just as quickly, tying the game 12 seconds later. Crew Martinson dropped the puck off to the blue line off the rush and Aden Bouchard fired it to the net. With traffic in front, Kamloops goaltender Kaeden Tate couldn’t see the shot come in and the puck sailed past his glove for Bouchard’s first of the year.
The game remained tied for eight and a half minutes before Kamloops struck again. Mateo Ferreria took a drop pass off the rush and had a lane to skate into the left circle before firing a shot under the glove of Grout for his first WHL goal.
Kamloops led 2-1 after the first period, outshooting Tri-City 10-6.
The Americans had a stronger period in the second, putting nine shots on net compared to the Blazers’ seven, but the game remained 2-1 through 40 minutes.
Alex Laing and Ty Coupland dropped the gloves late in the period after Laing clipped a Kamloops player while skating out of his zone, and Laing connected with a strong right hand to get the Toyota Center crowd into the game.
The third period was undoubtedly the Americans best of the night, despite having to kill off two penalties in the opening minutes. Tri-City allowed just five shots on goal while putting 11 towards Tate but still could not break through to tie the game as time expired for the 2-1 final score.
The Americans hit the road for the first time this season as they travel to meet the Spokane Chiefs (1-0-0-0) Saturday night at 6:05.
Announced attendance was 2,929.
