Winterhawks Take Down Americans 5-1
Kennewick, WA- The Tri-City Americans (26-29-0-3, 55 pts) have not been able to solve the puzzle that is the Portland Winterhawks (33-20-1-3, 70 pts) yet this season, falling to Portland 5-1 in front of 3,078 fans at the Toyota Center on Tuesday night.
The game did not start off the way the Americans were hoping, as Paul Bittner found himself on a breakaway and scored 27 seconds into the game to give Portland a 1-0 lead. A short time later, Portland increased the lead to 2-0 on a goal from Oliver Bjorkstrand. But the Americans were able to find some momentum on the power play just over eight minutes into the first. Tyler Sandhu found the back of the net to cut the lead to 2-1. Portland outshot Tri-City 15-5 in the first period, but only had a one goal lead heading into the second.
In the second, the Americans tried to get something going but were unable to get a goal. Portland had goals late in the second from Nic Petan and Keegan Iverson to put Portland ahead 4-1 after two periods.
Tri-City tried to get something going in the third, but couldn’t get any momentum going. The Americans pulled the goalie trying to get something going, but Bittner scored an empty net goal to put the game away for Portland.
The Americans have lost three straight games and are 0-6 against the Winterhawks this season.
Tri-City spent 10 minutes in the penalty box and converted 1-of-5 power play chances, while Portland recorded 12 penalty minutes and were unable to score on any of its four power play chances.
Eric Comrie stopped 45 shots in the loss while Adin Hill made 24 saves in the win.
The Americans have a couple of days off before they will hit the road for one game to face the Everett Silvertips (35-16-3-3, 76 pts) this Friday, Feb. 20, at Xfinity Arena. The Americans won the last meeting between the two teams, 4-3, in a shootout on Feb. 11 in Everett. Listen to the game on NewsTalk 870, or watch the game on ROOT Sports, WHL Live or at Kimo’s, your Americans home away from home.
Jack in the Box Three Stars
1. Oliver Bjorkstrand, Portland
2. Nic Petan, Portland
3. Eric Comrie, Tri-City
WHL Box Score: CLICK HERE
