Spokane Ruins New Year’s Eve, Defeats Tri-City 10-2
Kennewick, WA- The Tri-City Americans (18-17-0-1, 37 pts) tried to give the 6,025 fans at the Toyota Center a good memory heading into 2015, but the Spokane Chiefs (21-12-3-0, 45 pts) spoiled the party, earning a 10-2 win on Wednesday night.
Spokane struck early in the first, as the puck bounced off Kailer Yamamoto and into the net to put the Chiefs up 1-0 less than two minutes into the game. Midway through the first, the Americans tied the game on the power play, as Brian Williams slapped a loose puck into the net to even the score at one going into the second period.
Early in the second period, Spokane took advantage of an early power play, as Calder Brooks fired a shot from the slot that got past Evan Sarthou to give the Chiefs the lead, 2-1. But the Americans answered on a power play a bit later, as Williams scored his second of the game, evening the score at two. Midway through the period, the Chiefs retook the lead as Jackson Playfair skated in and fired a shot blocker side into the goal to take a 3-2 lead. The lead increased to two goals late in the second period, as Brooks scored his second goal, redirecting a shot from the point into the net on the power play to make it 4-2 after two periods.
Early in the third, Spokane got on the board again, as Keanu Yamamoto scored by deflecting a puck into the net to make it 5-2 Chiefs. Less than 15 seconds later, Jason Fram fired a shot from the point that found its way into the net. Midway through the third, the Chiefs continued to pour it on with another power play goal, the second of the night for Kailer Yamamoto to increase the lead to 7-2. And the same power play produced another goal for Spokane, this time from Riley Whittingham, to make it 8-2 Chiefs. Adam Helewka scored a goal to make it 9-2, and Dominic Zwerger capped off the scoring with a late goal to finish off the 10-2 win.
The Americans have lost three straight games to the Chiefs and have lost five of the six meetings this season. Spokane has outscored Tri-City 15-3 in the last two games played between the two teams. It is the second straight loss for the Americans on New Year’s Eve.
Tri-City had 92 penalty minutes and was 2-of-6 on the power play, while Spokane was 5-of-7 with the man advantage, and recorded 70 penalty minutes.
Evan Sarthou stopped 20 shots in the loss, while Garret Hughson made 24 saves in the win.
Tri-City has New Year’s Day off to recover, but will hit the road on Friday, Jan. 2, to take on the Seattle Thunderbirds (18-15-2-2, 40 pts) at the ShoWare Center in Kent. Game time is at 7:35 p.m. Tri-City won the last meeting against the Thunderbirds, 4-0, on Dec. 12 at the Toyota Center on Teddy Bear Toss night.
Jack in the Box Three Stars
1. Kailer Yamamoto, Spokane
2. Adam Helewka, Spokane
3. Brian Williams, Tri-City
WHL Box Score: CLICK HERE
