Sunday, Nov. 01, 2009

Messier wins it for Americans

HERALD STAFF

PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. -- Jordan Messier scored on a power play with 15 seconds remaining in regulation to give the Tri-City Americans a 3-2 victory over Prince George on Friday night at the CN Centre.

The Americans (12-3-0-0, 24 points) picked up their 10th win in the last 11 games and beat the Cougars for the seventh straight time. Tri-City is tied atop the U.S. Division with Portland (12-5-0-0, 24 points) despite owning a better winning percentage.

Prince George (3-11-0-0, 6 points) dropped even further into the British Columbia Division basement with a .214 winning percentage.

The Ams took a 2-0 lead at 2:55 of the second period on Patrick Holland's first goal of the year. But the Cougars scored the next two goals, knotting the game at 2 on a power-play goal by Dallas Jackson at 7:49 of the third period.

Tri-City goaltender Drew Owsley earned his league-leading 12th win of the season, stopping 25 of 27 shots.