The Tri-City Americans won a thriller Friday night at the Toyota Center, beating a new US Division foe, the Wenatchee Wild, 3-2 in Overtime. Kyle Kelsey can be thanked for the Americans even getting a chance at Overtime. Kelsey stopped 32 of 34 and is becoming a fan favorite by the minute in Tri-City.
No goals happened in the first twenty minutes of play, but there was an excellent attendance report of 4100 fans on a chilly Friday night. Shots after one period of play were 10-8 in favor of Tri-City.
Jordan Gavin opened the scoring in the contest, getting his first goal of the night and ninth on the season. Gavin, off the faceoff, fired a wrister from the slot and went bardown on Daniel Hauser of the Wenatchee Wild five minutes into the second period.
Parker Bell would help double the American’s lead. Bell, in his first game back from injury, was able to sneak it through the five-hole of Daniel Hauser on the powerplay halfway through the second period.
Wenatchee would keep the game tight going into the third period. Miles Cooper smacked home a rebound on the powerplay with under two minutes left in the second period, making it a one-goal game.
Shots after two periods of play were 22-17 in favor of Wenatchee.
Kent Isogai would get the lone goal of the third period and send the game to Overtime. Isogai read a pass shorthanded and broke off for a breakaway, roofing the puck over Kelsey, who had sprawled out. That would tie the game at 2, and we would be destined for a thriller of a finish at the Toyota Center.
However, Kent Isogai would get back into the spotlight, not for the best of things either. After an intense back-and-forth Overtime, Isogai made a critical mistake with 38 seconds left. Isogai ran over American goalie Kyle Kelsey for no reason. This gave the deadly Americans powerplay a chance to win it with 38 seconds.
The Americans would not disappoint with the opportunity gifted to them. Twelve seconds into the powerplay, Gavin fired the puck top shelf off a ricochet behind the net, sending the Toyota Center into a frenzy.
After the incredible overtime thriller, the Americans move to 12-7-2 including 9-2-1 at home. Tri-City is back in action Tuesday, Nov. 21 against the reigning WHL Champions, the Seattle Thunderbirds with puck drop at 7:05 p.m.
Northwest Sports Desk 