AMERICANS BEAT T-BIRDS IN SHOOTOUT



Pess, Gagnon score in 3-2 shootout loss to Tri-City
Kennewick, WA., October 11, 2006 - The Tri-City Americans defeated the Seattle Thunderbirds 3-2 in a shootout Wednesday night at the Toyota Center in Kennewick, Washington.

The game was tied 2-2 going into the shootout.

Seattle sent out Thomas Hickey, Aaron Gagnon and Jan Eberle for the shootout. All three did not convert on their chances.

Seattle’s record is now 1-2-0-3 and they are in fourth place in the US Division.

Seattle goalie Derek Yeomans stopped the first two Tri-City shooters, Colton Yellow Horn and Alex Aldred. The Americans third shooter, Shaun Vey, beat Yeomans to give Tri-City the win.

Kyle Pess scored a power-play goal at 5:45 of the first period to give the T-Birds a 1-0 lead. On a five- on-three power play Pess fired a rebound past Tri- City goalie Carey Price from on top of the right crease. Thomas Hickey and Radek Meidl had the assists on the second goal of the year by Pess.

Gagnon put the T-Birds up 2-0 with 50 seconds left in the first period. Scott Jackson controlled the puck at the right point and put a slap shot on goal. Price stopped Jackson’s shot but Gagnon was in front of the net and put the rebound through Price for his third goal of the year.

Seattle outshot Tri-City 9-4 in the first period.

Tri-City (6-0-0-1) scored at 12:12 of the second period on a goal by Taylor Procyshen to cut the Seattle lead to one goal. Michael Kaye and Alex Aldred had the assists.

The Americans outshot the T-Birds 12-6 in the second period and led 16-15 in shots going into the second intermission.

Tri-City tied the game 2-2 on a power-play goal with 12 seconds left in the game by Procyshen. Colton Yellow Horn and Erik Felde had the assists.

Seattle outshot Tri-City 14-7 in the third period.

The T-Birds outshot the Americans 2-1 in the overtime period.

Yeomans made 22 saves on 24 shots and his record fell to 1-2-2.

Price made 29 saves on 31 shots and his record is now 4-0-0.

Up next for the T-Birds is a home-and-home series with the Vancouver Giants. The T-Birds are in Vancouver on Friday night for a 7:30 p.m. game. The two teams meet again Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. at KeyArena. Seattle finishes out the weekend with a Sunday game against the Spokane Chiefs at KeyArena at 5:05 p.m.

Thunderbird tickets are currently on sale for all regular 2006-07 regular season home games. Tickets are priced at $20, $16 & $12 Tickets may be purchased by calling 206 628-0888 or 206 448 PUCK (7825) or online at www.seattlethunderbirds.com. Tickets may also be purchased at all TicketMaster Outlets, the KeyArena’s West Box Office Monday – Saturday 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM and The Hockey Store located at 14326 124th Ave NE in Kirkland. For additional ticket information on Season Tickets and Group Rates please call 206 448 PUCK.

SCORING SUMMARY

First period – 1, Seattle, Pess 2 (Hickey, Meidl), 5:45 (pp). 2, Seattle, Gagnon 3 (Jackson), 19:10. Penalties – Schmidt, Tri (slashing), 4:30. Gillies, Tri (tripping), 5:25. Aldred, Tri (hooking), 16:06.

Second period – 3, Tri-City, Procyshen 5 (Kaye, Aldred), 12:12. Penalties – Stamler, Sea (tripping), 2:11. Scurko, Tri (hooking), 7:32. Butterfield, Tri (hooking), 8:33.

Third period – 4, Tri-City, Procyshen 6 (Yellow Horn, Felde), 19:48 (pp). Penalties – Broda, Tri (holding), 3:02. Swaby, Tri (hooking), 5:09. Durand, Sea (hooking), 10:06. Durand, Sea (hooking), 18:50.

Overtime – No scoring. Penalties – No penalties.

Shootout – Seattle 0 (Thomas Hickey NG, Aaron Gagnon NG, Jan Eberle NG); Tri-City 1 (Colton Yellow Horn NG, Alex Aldred NG, Shaun Vey G).

Shots on goal – Seattle 9-6-14-2 31. Tri- City 4-12-7-1 24. Goalies – Seattle, Yeomans 24 shots-22 saves (1-2-2); Tri-City, Price 31-29 (4-0-0). Power plays – Seattle 1-7; Tri-City 1-3. Referee – Ian Croft. Linesmen – Tony Leonetti, Trevor Shively.

-From the thunderbirds website

They couldve had the win if they held onto those last twelve seconds. The tie-goal sounded like a bad bounce? The announcers were quite surprized when it went in. Good game though, it was a good listen last night.