The Tri-City Americans lost the first of two games this weekend against the Victoria Royals 3-2. The Americans were silent for most of the night until the third period when they outshot the Victoria Royals fifteen to one.
The overager Dawson Pasternak opened the scoring in tonight’s game. On the powerplay, Pasternak fired one from the point and went by the high blocker of American goalie Kyle Kelsey. Kelsey was screened fairly well by Escalus Burlock, which also led to the goal.
Shots after one period of play were even at 9-9.
After a disastrous play behind the net, Merrek Arpin fumbled the puck while no players were around him. The puck squirted out front, and Logan Pickford, who was skating up, took exception and buried it home, making it 2-0 Victoria three minutes into the second period.
Alex Edwards would build onto the Victoria Royals lead with just a few minutes remaining in the second period. Edwards walked in too,k a simple wrister from the slot, and went glove side on Kelsey, who was way out of position.
Shots after two periods of play were still even at 21-21.
The third period is where Tri-City would attempt to mount a comeback. Pasha Bocharov got his seventh goal of the season just under eight minutes into the third period, giving the Americans a lifeline. Bocharov streaked towards the net, and Cash Koch was able to loft the puck over a Royals defenseman right to Bocharov. Bocharov quickly threw the puck into the back of the net and made it a two-goal game.
Jake Sloan would get his 10th goal of the season on the powerplay with just four minutes left in regulation. Dragicevic would fire a shot from the faceoff circle, and Holt made the original save. However, the puck bounced right to Jake Sloan’s stick, and he would bang at it and make it a one-goal game.
Tri-City, however, would fall up short even though they had fifteen shots on goal that period and only allowed Victoria one single shot.
Tri-City was set to finish their schedule before winter break with their second game in Victoria on Saturday night on the Royals’ teddy bear toss night.
Northwest Sports Desk 