Tri-City Rallies from Third Period Deficit, Beats Victoria in Overtime
Victoria, B.C.- The Tri-City Americans (9-8-0-0, 18 pts) were down by two goals in the third period, but rallied to tie the game and Jackson Playfair’s overtime goal gave the Americans a 5-4 win against the Victoria Royals (9-7-2-0, 20 pts) in front of 4,454 at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre.
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Each team came out and implemented game plans, with both teams trading chances throughout much of the first period. The Americans were able to strike first, as Lucas Nickles grabbed a loose puck from behind the Victoria net and wrapped the puck around past the red line to give Tri-City a 1-0 lead. Both teams recorded eight shots in the first period, but the Americans had the lead heading into the second period.
Victoria was able to grab some momentum by tying the game early in the second period. Travis Brown fired a wrist shot past Eric Comrie on the power play to tie the game at one. The Royals maintained pressure and continued to play well, and took the lead midway through the second period as Joe Hicketts found the back of the net, making it 2-1 Victoria. Tri-City was able to tie the game a little more than two minutes later, as Parker Wotherspoon found the back of the net on the power play. The Americans were outshot 9-7 by the Royals in the period, but it was either team’s game heading into the second period.
In the third period, Victoria came out and retook the lead, with Brandon Magee able to get the puck past Comrie into the goal for a 3-2 Royal lead. The Royals kept that momentum going less than three minutes later, as Magee added his second goal of the game to give Victoria a two goal advantage. But the Americans would fight back, as Vladislav Lukin slapped a loose puck into the twine to cut the Royals lead to one goal with time left in third. After continuing to press, the Americans were finally rewarded once again, as Semyon Krasheninnikov scored his first career WHL goal, tying the game at four with a little more than five minutes left in regulation. Neither team could find a winner in regulation, sending the game to overtime.
It wasn’t long before the winner was scored in overtime. Beau McCue fired a shot from the point that was deflected into the net by Playfair 1:29 into overtime to give the Americans a game winning goal.
The win snaps a four game losing streak, both overall and on the road. The loss also snaps a four game losing streak in Victoria. Playfair scored his second game winning goal of the season.
The Royals scored on its lone power play opportunity and had 24 penalty minutes. Tri-City was 1-for-6 with a man advantage and had 16 penalty minutes.
Eric Comrie had some terrific saves and played great in a 23 save performance. Coleman Vollrath stopped 24 shots in a losing effort.
The Americans will return home for a three game homestand this week, starting with the defending Memorial Cup Champion Edmonton Oil Kings (9-5-0-2, 20 pts) this Wednesday, Nov. 5, at the Toyota Center. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. The Americans fell to the Oil Kings in Edmonton last season, 3-1, but Tri-City earned a win the last time Edmonton visited the Toyota Center, 8-1, dating back to the 2012-13 season. Tickets are on sale through all Ticketmaster outlets, including the Toyota Center box office, all Fred Meyer locations or online at ticketmaster.com.
Jack in the Box Three Stars
1. Brandon Magee, Victoria
2. Jackson Playfair, Tri-City
3. Travis Brown, Victoria
WHL Box Score: CLICK HERE
