A total of 4,200 fans were loud and proud Saturday night at the Toyota Center to watch the Tri-City Americans steal a win from their rival, the Spokane Chiefs, in a highly physical matchup. This was also the first game since the WHL mandated league-wide neck guards on every player. Cruz Pavao also made his WHL debut for Tri-City.
Tri-City got on the board first tonight, as usual. Brandon Whynott passed his season high in goals, notching his 6th goal of the season. This goal came seven minutes into the first period after a puck trickled at the front of the net, where Brandon Whynott was able to reach with his stick, turn around, and go bar down on Cooper Michaluk.
The Americans did not stop applying pressure; on the powerplay halfway through the first period, Deagan McMillan fired a one-timer from the right faceoff circle and went five-hole on Cooper Michaluk to double the Americans’ lead.
After one whole period of play, in the shot department, shots were even at ten a side.
Spokane gave themselves life early in the second. Matecha couldn’t see through the traffic, and Lukas Kral tipped a simple shot from the point off Sage Weinstein’s stick to make it a 2-1 game.
Tri-City immediately shut down any thought of that for the time being, as just a minute later, Jake Sloan was hauled down by a Chiefs player but able to get a shot off on the net. Michaluk allowed a considerable rebound, and the lurking Jordan Gavin banged home the rebound to give Tri-City their 2-goal lead back, making it 3-1.
Cruz Pavao would send the Toyota Center into a frenzy halfway through the second period. Cash Koch made a slick cross-crease pass through two diving Spokane defenders. Pavao banged it home and got his first career WHL goal.
Spokane would keep the game close going into the third period. After a mad scramble out in front of the net with under a minute to go in the second period. Owen Martin got his hands on the puck and rifled one bar down on Lukas Matecha in the slot.
Shots were 27-20 in favor of the Tri-City Americans after two whole periods of play.
Spokane came out of the intermission like a firecracker. Just 36 seconds into the third period, Connor Roulette got a lucky wrap-around. Lukas Matecha accidentally kicked the puck into the net, making it a one-goal game early in the third period.
Midway through the third, Spokane brought two players in on a breakaway. However, Matecha made a sweet sprawling save to keep Tri-City in front.
In crunch time, Ty Chevyldayoff made a critical mistake. Chevyldayoff aimed his sights high and took out Parker Bell, knocking him out cold. Alex Serraglio would immediately pounce on him, ensuing in a fight with no winner and the refs breaking it up.
Bell would be escorted off the ice with help from players and the Athletic Trainer, Taylor Curry. Spokane would be handed a five-minute major penalty and essentially a game-ending penalty with just three minutes left in regulation.
Tri-City moved to 8-5-2 on the season with their win. Their next game is Tuesday when the Americans take on the Kelowna Rockets. Puck drop is set for 7:05 p.m. at the Toyota Center.
Northwest Sports Desk 