Tri-City Herald: Americans, Winterhawks ready to battle
By Annie Fowler | Tri-City Herald
KENNEWICK — The last time the Tri-City Americans played the Portland Winterhawks in the Western Hockey League playoffs, goalie Carey Price was a rookie.
That was 2004, and Price, now with the Montreal Canadiens, led the Americans to a 4-1 series win.
Tonight, the Americans host the Winterhawks in the opening game of the Western Conference finals.
Tri-City is coming off a 4-3 series victory over Spokane, in which the Americans beat the Chiefs 3-2 in Game 7 at the Toyota Center.
“It was a really intense 13 days,” Tri-City coach Jim Hiller said of the Spokane series. “It was mentally taxing, too. We’ll take a day off and recharge. We have more great hockey starting (today).
“We are coming off a pretty thrilling victory. I think (Wednesday) was the best game we had played all year. No better way to go into the next series. I think the guys are ready to get back at it.”
Portland also is coming off a seven-game series, beating Kamloops 2-0 in Game 7 on Wednesday.
