The Tri-City Americans fell for the second straight game, this time to the Kelowna Rockets 4-1 Saturday night at the Toyota Center. Jari Kyakkanen of the Kelowna Rockets was a big piece behind that, stopping 32 shots in the net to get first-star honors.
Tri-City dominated the first period of play in terms of scoring chances. However, Kelowna would be the one to get on the board first on the power play following a Jackson Smith tripping penalty.
At 18:47 in the first period, Andrew Cristall skated in through the left circle and fired a wrister that went bardown on American netminder Kyle Kelsey.
Shots after a period of play were 13-9 in favor of Kelowna; Kelowna also held a 1-0 lead heading into the second period.
The Rockets broke the game open in the second period, scoring three straight unanswered goals.
At 8:08, Kelowna doubled their lead after Michael Cicek fired a wrister from close quarters that Kyle Kelsey saved. However, the puck trickled through Kelsey’s five-hole in the crease. Tij Iginla quickly pounced on the puck and made it 2-0 Kelowna.
Brett Calhoon would extend the Rocket’s lead to three after sniping one from the left circle for his first goal as a member of the Kelowna Rockets at 14:28 in the second period.
Max Graham would sneak another goal in for Kelowna as the second period began to wind down.
Andrew Cristall, in the trap, found Graham busting toward the net unmarked. Cristall snapped a pass to Graham, who fired a one-timer from close range and made it 4-0 Kelowna at 18:21.
Shots after two periods of play were 25-17 in favor of Kelowna. Kelowna held a convincing 4-0 lead heading into the third period.
Tri-City would break up Kykkanens’ shutout and get the lone goal of the third period at 11:06.
As Rockets defenseman Carter Kowalyk attempted to clear the puck, Kowalyk fired the puck right off the skate of Carter Macadams. The puck magically bounced right to the stick of Jake Sloan, who was all alone in the slot. Sloan then fired a wrister right by the glove of the helpless Jari Kykkanen to get on the board.
With their loss, Tri-City move to 22-34-2-1 on the year. Tri-City now stands nine points out of the playoffs with nine games left. Tri-City will seek revenge as the Americans travel to Kelowna for a Wednesday night clash. Puck drop is set for 7:05 p.m.
Northwest Sports Desk 