From Tri-City Americans
Kent, WA-
Tri-City wanted to go into the break on a high note.
Beau McCue made
sure of that, scoring two goals en route to the Tri-City Americans
(20-12-1-2, 43 pts) earning a 4-1 win over the Seattle
Thunderbirds (16-17-1-1, 34 pts) in the ShoWare Center.
With the win,
Tri-City has earned 20 wins at the winter break for the fifth time in the last
six seasons
The Americans earn
their first win in three meetings with the Thunderbirds this season and remain
undefeated on the road at 4-0 this month. The Americans also carry a two game
overall win streak into the break.
Tri-City got off to a quick start, as Beau McCue put a shot into the net
58 seconds into the game to make it 1-0. Seattle would tie the game about two
minutes later, as Justin Hickman would shoot a loose puck into the net on the
power play. Seattle had more opportunities in the period, outshooting the
Americans 14-7 along with two power play chances, but both teams had a goal
after one.
The Americans started the second period on a good note, as Ryan Chynoweth
picked up a rebound and flipped a backhand into the goal for an early 2-1 lead.
Tri-City had the shot advantage in the second 12-9 and created more
opportunities, allowing the Americans to hold a 2-1 lead after two periods.
Seattle created a few good opportunities to tie the game in the first
half of the third period, but couldn't get it by Eric Comrie. The Americans
capitalized on a chance midway through the third as Malte Strömwall fired a
wrist shot from the slot into the back of the net for a 3-1 lead. And McCue
would put the game out of reach as he scored his second goal of the game to
increase the lead to three with six minutes left in the game. Comrie was solid
in net down the stretch to help the Americans earn the
win.
With two assists tonight, Justin Feser moves into seventh alone on the
Americans all-time points list with 288 and comes within one assist of tying
Dylan Gyori for 10th on the Americans all-time assists list with 159. He is one
game shy of tying Kruise Reddick for seventh on the Americans all-time games
played list with 315.
Comrie made 29 saves in the win, while Seattle goaltender Brandon Glover
made 28 saves in the loss.
