The Tri-City Americans kept their win streak alive after making a 3-1 comeback against the Kelowna Rockets Tuesday night. Cruz Pavao, the Americans 2023 Round One selection, had a 2 goal night. Kyle Kelsey also made his Americans debut after being traded to Tri-City from Red Deer. Jaxen Adam also picked up his first career WHL point for Tri-City.
Kelowna achieved the first goal of the night with a bit of luck. Andrew Cristall attempted to go five-hole on Kelsey. However, Kelsey made the original stop. The puck, unfortunately, leaked out, and Gabriel Szturc banged it home 2:44 into the game.
Ty Hurley got his third career WHL goal, extending the Rockets lead to 2-0 four minutes into the game after tipping a puck five-hole at the front of the net off what seemed to be a harmless wrist shot.
Nick Anisimovic gave the Americans a shot at life with just over five minutes left in the first period. Jaxen Adam fired a shot from outside the left faceoff circle where Anisimovic tipped it at the front of the net. Jaxen Adam picked up his first career WHL point. Anisimovic got his 2nd goal of the season and chopped the Rockets lead in half.
After one whole period of play at the Toyota Center, shots were 13-8 in favor of Kelowna. Kelowna led the game as well, 2-1 going into the second period.
Kelowna would put the Americans in a pickle early into the second period. Scoring on the powerplay off a Cruz Pavao High-Sticking penalty. Max Graham got a perfect feed for a one-timer inside the left faceoff circle, going high glove on Kelsey. This would give the Rockets a 3-1 lead with loads of time left in the second period.
Cruz Pavao got his first goal of the night and second of his career after Max Curran fed him on the right wing side on a fast break where Pavao went five-hole. The Rockets’ lead was cut back down to one.
With time ticking in the second period, Alex Serraglio tied the game up with just over thirty seconds left. A harmless shot from the point found its way through traffic. This goal would take us to the intermission, where the score was 3-3.
After two periods of action, Kelowna still led in the shot category 27-20.
Halfway through the third period, Cruz Pavao would do the honors and send the small crowd at the Toyota Center into a frenzy. Curran gave a slick pass to Pavao in the slot from the trap, where Pavao went five-hole for his second goal of the night, making it 4-3 Tri-City. This would complete the 1-3 comeback and get Tri-City the win.
With their win Tuesday night, the Americans improved to 9-5-2. Their next game is Friday Nov. 10 as they host the Kamloops Blazers with puck drop set for 7:05 p.m.
Northwest Sports Desk 