Americans top Edmonton 3-1, nearing playoff spot

Maxwell James and Jordan Topping scored third-period goals, and the Tri-City Americans notched a 3-1 win over the Edmonton Oil Kings on Monday afternoon before 10,812 fans at Rexall Place.

The victory gives the Americans (27-26-2-1, 57 points) a successful 3-1 road trip through the Central Division. They also closed within three points of idle Kamloops (26-22-5-3, 60) for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Parker Bowles got the Ams started 4 minutes into the second period with his 32nd goal of the season. Edmonton (24-26-6-1, 55) tied the score 12 minutes later, and it remained knotted until Maxwell struck shorthanded 3:24 into the third.

Topping tacked on the insurance score at 12:18, and Evan Sarthou made sure the lead stood up, stopping all 12 shots he faced in the final 20 minutes and 26 of 27 for the game.

The Americans are off until they take home ice Friday against the U.S. Division-leading Everett Silvertips. Tri-City plays at Spokane on Saturday. Kamloops has three tough games this week: at home against Red Deer and two at Victoria

This story was originally published February 15, 2016 at 8:34 PM with the headline "Americans top Edmonton 3-1, nearing playoff spot."