Americans looking to bounce back Wednesday vs. Portland

Your biggest rival is in the building and there are 4,600 fans in the stands. Saturday was a perfect opportunity for the Tri-City Americans to give the Spokane Chiefs a little playback, but the mission never got off the ground.

The Chiefs skated away with an 8-1 victory — their third consecutive win over Tri-City — leaving the Americans with more questions than answers.

“We were pretty good in the first period; we had some solid chances, but we didn’t score,” Americans coach Mike Williamson said. “We found ourselves down a goal. In the second period, we mismanaged the puck and it got away from us. We made some uncharacteristic mistakes, Spokane capitalized on its chances and we just never got the wheels back under us. It was disappointing. It was embarrassing. We have talked about it. Now we just have to make sure we are ready to play Portland.”

Tri-City (6-10-1-0, 13 points) is at home Wednesday (7:05 p.m.) against the Winterhawks (7-9-0-0, 14 points), who have lost three in a row, including the last two at home to the Kelowna Rockets.

It is the fourth meeting between the teams. Portland is 2-1 in the 10-game series.

The Americans will welcome back Austyn Playfair (upper-body injury) and Michael Rasmussen (U-17 Challenge) to the lineup tonight.

“We have been moving things around, but some of that has been forced with guys in and out of the lineup with injuries and being gone,” Williamson said. “We are looking for some chemistry. Rasmussen is back and he’s another player who can help us a lot. Regardless of who it is, or who they are playing with, we need a more collective effort. More of a team game.

“We certainly missed some of those guys who have been out, but we are more than capable to compete and win hockey games,” Williamson added. “Our compete level has been pretty good up until the last game.”

Keeping the team on track during trying times falls on the veterans, according to Brian Williams, who is in his fifth year with the team.

“The younger guys look up to us for that bounce-back push,” Williams said. “That is our job, to lead the way. This is a resilient group. Of course they know (Saturday) was unacceptable. I think there is a good feeling going into the Portland game — it’s a must-win situation.”

Williams for one is happy to see Rasmussen back with the team.

“Michael is a great playmaker,” Williams said. “He is very easy to play with. I missed him.”

With pieces falling back into place, Williams said it is up to the players to make sure they are putting forth an honest effort.

“I don’t think (the Spokane game) hurts our confidence,” Williams said. “I think it makes some guys look in the mirror and ask what they are bring to the table. Or if they are bringing enough. I think some guys will answer that bell (today).”

This story was originally published November 10, 2015 at 8:41 PM with the headline "Americans looking to bounce back Wednesday vs. Portland."