HAF
09-27-2008, 12:37 AM
Courtesy of Dan Mulhausen, Amshockey.com
Kennewick, WA - With everyone but their starting goaltender back from NHL camps, the Tri-City Americans were clicking on all cylinders Friday night.
Adam Hughesman netted two goals and, backed by three third period goals, the Tri-City Americans (2-0-0-0, 4 pts) skated past the visiting Seattle Thunderbirds (0-3-0-0, 0 pts) 5-3 in front of 3,495 fans at Toyota Center in Kennewick. For the Americans, their offense has been red hot to start the season, registering 10 goals in their first two games. Meanwhile, Seattle dropped their third straight contest to open the season. The two will meet again three weeks from today back in Kennewick.
Hughesman got things going for Tri-City, picking up his first goal of the night at the 12:03 mark of the first period. However, Seattle responded just over two minutes later to tie the game at 1, courtesy of Devon LeBlanc. Then, with three minutes remaining in the first period, Seattle's David Richard picked up his first of two power play goals, putting Seattle ahead 2-1 going into the first break.
But Tri-City rookie Justin Feser lit the lamp at the 12:12 mark of the second period, shifting the momentum of the game back in Tri-City's favor. It was his first WHL goal of his young career.
Just nine seconds into the third period and still tied at two, Hughesman electrified the crowd with his second goal of the night, putting Tri-City on top for good. Nearly 10 minutes later, Petr Stoklasa netted his first goal of the season, putting the Americans ahead 4-2. At the 13:00 minute mark, Jason Reese capped the Tri-City scoring with his fourth goal of the season.
Rookie goaltender Drew Owsley picked up his second win in as many starts, stopping 20 of 23 shots. Meanwhile, Seattle netminder Jacob DeSerres collected 25 saved in the loss. Seattle finished 2-for-4 on the power play, while the Americans were 0-for-3.
Up next for Tri-City is a key U.S. Division match-up with the rival Spokane Chiefs. The two have not met since Spokane's Game 7 victory in the 2008 Western Conference Finals. Last season, the Americans went 7-5 against the Chiefs, with four of those wins coming at Spokane Arena. Pre-game ceremonies will push back the start time to 7:45 p.m. You can catch all the action live on NewsTalk 870 AM, starting with the Sterling Savings Bank Warm-up Show at 7:30 p.m.
Kennewick, WA - With everyone but their starting goaltender back from NHL camps, the Tri-City Americans were clicking on all cylinders Friday night.
Adam Hughesman netted two goals and, backed by three third period goals, the Tri-City Americans (2-0-0-0, 4 pts) skated past the visiting Seattle Thunderbirds (0-3-0-0, 0 pts) 5-3 in front of 3,495 fans at Toyota Center in Kennewick. For the Americans, their offense has been red hot to start the season, registering 10 goals in their first two games. Meanwhile, Seattle dropped their third straight contest to open the season. The two will meet again three weeks from today back in Kennewick.
Hughesman got things going for Tri-City, picking up his first goal of the night at the 12:03 mark of the first period. However, Seattle responded just over two minutes later to tie the game at 1, courtesy of Devon LeBlanc. Then, with three minutes remaining in the first period, Seattle's David Richard picked up his first of two power play goals, putting Seattle ahead 2-1 going into the first break.
But Tri-City rookie Justin Feser lit the lamp at the 12:12 mark of the second period, shifting the momentum of the game back in Tri-City's favor. It was his first WHL goal of his young career.
Just nine seconds into the third period and still tied at two, Hughesman electrified the crowd with his second goal of the night, putting Tri-City on top for good. Nearly 10 minutes later, Petr Stoklasa netted his first goal of the season, putting the Americans ahead 4-2. At the 13:00 minute mark, Jason Reese capped the Tri-City scoring with his fourth goal of the season.
Rookie goaltender Drew Owsley picked up his second win in as many starts, stopping 20 of 23 shots. Meanwhile, Seattle netminder Jacob DeSerres collected 25 saved in the loss. Seattle finished 2-for-4 on the power play, while the Americans were 0-for-3.
Up next for Tri-City is a key U.S. Division match-up with the rival Spokane Chiefs. The two have not met since Spokane's Game 7 victory in the 2008 Western Conference Finals. Last season, the Americans went 7-5 against the Chiefs, with four of those wins coming at Spokane Arena. Pre-game ceremonies will push back the start time to 7:45 p.m. You can catch all the action live on NewsTalk 870 AM, starting with the Sterling Savings Bank Warm-up Show at 7:30 p.m.