LANGLEY, British Columbia -- Patrick Holland scored the game-winner in the shootout and Drew Owsley finished with 30 saves to become the league's first 30-game winner as Tri-City Americans rallied to beat the Vancouver Giants 5-4 on Saturday night.
The Americans (38-13-0-2, 78 points), who earned a spot in the playoffs Friday night, moved into a three-way tie for first place in the WHL standings with Saskatoon and Brandon. Tri-City leads the U.S. Division by seven points over Everett and Portland.
The Giants (33-20-1-3, 70 points) led 3-0 midway through the first period with goals by Lance Bouma, Brett Breitkreuz and James Wright.
After Wright's goal, Tri-City starter Alex Pechurskiy was replaced by Owsley, who shut down Vancouver until the waning seconds of the third period.
The Americans tied the game at 3 with goals by Neal Prokop, Justin Feser and Holland.
Tyler Schmidt scored with 5:29 remaining in regulation to give Tri-City a 4-3 lead.
Vancouver's Milan Kytnar scored with 11.5 seconds left in the third period to send the game into overtime.
After a scoreless extra session, Owsley stopped James Henry, Craig Cunningham and Kevin Connauton in the shootout to give the Americans their first ever season sweep of the Giants.
Holland, Feser and Prokop also had two assists apiece.
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Feser sparks Ams in preseason win over Portland
Feser sparks Ams in preseason win over Portland
EVERETT -- Justin Feser had a three-point night and Brendan Shinnimin scored the game-winner in the shootout, as the Tri-City Americans slipped past the Portland Winterhawks 5-4 on Saturday at the Everett Tournament.
Tri-City's Olli Dickson got the ball rolling just 4:54 into the first period. Portland responded with two goals in a 3 1/2-minute span to take a 2-1 lead at the first period.
Rookie Brian Williams tied the game at 2 in the second, but the Winterhawks scored two goals late in the period for a 4-2 lead.
Game Day: Giants at Americans
Game Day: Giants at Americans
I want to thank all of you who took the time to read the 2012 Best of the West poll. Through Tuesday afternoon, 4,998 people had logged on to view the 24th annual poll, not to mention those of you who read it in the paper.
And a bigger thank you to all the players, coaches and management who took the time to fill out the ballots. These are the guys to truly know the players in the league and what they are capable of.
I think the WHL should take a look at their pool of officials. With 53 ballots coming back, and 212 slots to list names of referees, only 158 spots were filling in. Ballots included such comments as “none worth voting for,” and “none are worthy of a vote.” One had Andy Thiessen’s name on all four lines (he got just one vote). I think the blank lines speak for themselves.
Ams beat Medicine Hat in shootout
Ams beat Medicine Hat in shootout
MEDICINE HAT, Alberta -- Justin Feser scored in the fourth round of the shootout to lead the Tri-City Americans to a 4-3 victory over the Medicine Hat Tigers on Friday before a crowd of 4,006 at The Arena.
"It was an excellent game," said Tri-City coach Jim Hiller. "I think the important part for our team is to understand what we've done and what we've had to do to win."
It was the second consecutive win for the Americans
West-leading Ams hammer Giants, 11-4
West-leading Ams hammer Giants, 11-4
VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- The Tri-City Americans haven't lost back-to-back games since the second week of the season, and they weren't about to do it again Friday night.
Coming off a 3-2 loss at Kamloops on Wednesday, the Americans scored a six pack of goals in the second period en route to an 11-4 victory over the Vancouver Giants at Pacific Coliseum.
It was the most goals scored by the Americans (33-8-0-0, 66 points) since an 11-7 win over Prince George on March 4, 2003. Vancouver (26-15-1-1, 54 points) has only allowed 11 goals twice -- Friday and Jan. 5, 2002 to Kelowna.
Comrie, Ams shut out Prince George
Comrie, Ams shut out Prince George
As the final horn sounded, Eric Comrie picked up the puck and skated off the ice.
The Tri-City Americans rookie goalie wanted the souvenir from his first WHL shutout, coming in a 1-0 victory over the Prince George Cougars on Friday night at CN Centre.
Comrie finished with 17 saves, and Adam Hughesman scored the game's only goal late in the second period as the Americans improved to 9-4-0-0 and remained atop the Western Conference with 18 points.
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