Tri-City Wins Second Straight Shootout; Downs ‘Tips 3-2
By Dan Mulhausen | Tri-City Americans
EVERETT, WA – After a rough start to their road-intensive month of October, the Americans saved one of their best performances for last.
Patrick Holland scored the game-winner in the shootout and Drew Owsley made 38 saves through regulation and overtime as the Tri-City Americans (11-4-1-0, 23 pts) spoiled the Everett Silvertips’ (5-4-1-3, 14 pts) Pink in the Rink Night behind a 3-2 win in front of 6,422 fans at Comcast Arena. With the win, Tri-City wrapped up their October road record with a 6-4-1-0 and earned 13 of a possible 22 points. The club also improved to 3-5 all-time in shootouts vs. Everett, including a 2-4 record at Comcast Arena. Meanwhile, Everett, who has lost eight of their last 10 games, saw their losing skid reach five games. It also marked the fifth straight game between the division rivals that has been decided by just one goal.
Looking to inspire their pink-clad faithful, the ‘Tips came out firing to start the contest. But, it was the visitors that struck first. With 6:02 gone, and on the power play, Justin Feser took advantage of a generous rebound by Kent Simpson to put Tri-City on top 1-0.
But, 3:47 later, Everett drew even when Campbell Elynuik put a Parker Stanfield rebound past Owsley. Then, three minutes later, the Silvertips were handed a golden opportunity to break the game open. The Americans took two penalties just seven seconds apart, giving Everett a 5-on-3 man-advantage for 1:53. The Silvertips took full advantage of the extra space, launching shot after shot on Owsley. However, behind six clutch saves including a dandy glove save on Landon Ferraro, Owsley and the Americans came away unscathed. By the end of the first 20 minutes, Everett had outshot Tri-City 18 to 9, but the score remained the same, knotted at 1.
Early into the second period, though, Everett took their first and only lead of the contest. Just 2:30 into the frame, and from the high slot, Stanfield shelved a shot over Owsley’s glove to put the ‘Tips up by one.
However, following the goal, Tri-City slowly and methodically started to take control of the period. Then, as the period neared the halfway point, Simpson could not corral a shot by Adam Hughesman from the left circle and allowed the rebound to head out into the slot. There to take advantage was Brooks Macek, who buried it into a near-empty net, tying the game at 2.
With under four minutes to play in regulation, and with the game still tied, Hughesman redirected a Tyler Schmidt shot off the post, as Simpson and the Silvertips fans took a collective sigh of relief. Then, with just seconds remaining in the overtime session, Mason Wilgosh missed his chance to end the game when his shot rang off the post. Finally, despite the close calls, the game headed to the shootout.
With the home team electing to shoot second, Hughesman beat Simpson on the blocker side to give Tri-City the early advantage. Then Josh Birkholz attempted to respond as he tried to slip a shot through Owsley’s pads. But the Americans netminder was there to shut the door and keep the ‘Tips off the board. Patrick Holland shot second for Tri-City, sucking Simpson down to the ice early enough to flick the puck in at the far post. The goal set-up a must-score situation for Everett’s Scott MacDonald, who saw his attempt ricochet off the post and end the game.
Behind his 38 saves in regulation, Owsley notched career win #48 while moving past former NHL All-Star and current Americans’ owner Olaf Kolzig for 7th on Tri-City’s all-time games played list. Meanwhile, Simpson, with 31 saves, dropped his third shootout this month. Tri-City finished the night 1-for-3 on the power play and was a perfect 3-for-3 on the penalty kill.
The Americans will now return home for just their fifth home game of the season tomorrow, October 30, when they host the B.C. Division’s Prince George Cougars (8-6-1-0). Game time is 7:05 pm at Toyota Center. It will be the third meeting between the two clubs in a week’s span, as the two exchanged blow outs up in Prince George last weekend. The Cougars will also be looking to snap their 13-game winless streak at the Toyota Center which dates back to November 2, 2003. Tickets are available through all Ticketmaster outlets, including the Toyota Center box office, all Fred Meyer outlets, or online at ticketmaster.com. Those unable to make it to the game can catch all the action live on NewsTalk 870 AM, starting with the Sterling Savings Bank Warm-up Show at 6:45 p.m.
Applebee’s 3 Stars:
1, Drew Owsley, Tri-City
2, Parker Stanfield, Everett
3, Ryan Murray, Everett
