Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009

Bruins end to Ams' win streak at 9

By the Herald staff

CHILLIWACK, British Columbia -- For three years, a date with Chilliwack was more times than not good for two points in the standings for the Tri-City Americans.

Not any more.

Dylen McKinlay scored a pair of goals and the Bruins went on a three-goal spree in the third period for a 5-2 victory over Tri-City on Wednesday night at Prospera Centre.

The loss put an end to the Americans' nine-game win streak, and marked the first time ever Tri-City (11-3-0-0, 22 points) lost a game in Chilliwack (5-6-2-3, 14 points).

A win would have tied the Tri-City franchise record of 10 consecutive wins set by the 1991-92 team.

It was the first trip back to Chilliwack for Tri-City coach Jim Hiller, who coached the Bruins for three years before being dismissed at the end of last season.

"We had enough chances to pull it out," Hiller said. "There were parts of the game we played really well and parts we didn't. There were moments when it looked like two different teams -- and I'm talking about us. You have to play the game the way it's supposed to be played."

The Bruins, who never trailed in the game, opened the scoring in the first period at 3:16 with the first of McKinlay's two goals, but Tri-City's Jordan Messier evened the score 61/2 minutes later, taking a feed from Lane Werbowksi and putting the puck behind Chilliwack goalie Lucas Gore.

In the second, Jamie Crooks gave the Bruins a 2-1 lead, only to see Messier tie the game once again, this time knocking in a rebound off a shot by Neal Prokop with 1:34 left in the period.

Chilliwack scored twice in the first 3:36 of the third and added an empty-netter by Shayne Neigum to finish the scoring.

The Americans outshot the Bruins 46-33, with Gore finishing with 44 saves. Tri-City goalie Drew Owsley, looking for his 10th straight win, finished with 29 saves.

A win would have tied Owsley with Chet Pickard (2007-08) and Mark Dawkins (1991-92) for the franchise record for consecutive wins at 10.

Former Tri-City defenseman Mitch McColm had two assists for the Bruins.