Americans Down Undefeated Winterhawks 7-3

October 23, 2022 – Western Hockey League (WHL) – Tri-City Americans News Release

The Tri-City Americans ended the Portland Winterhawks’ undefeated stretch last night with a 7-3 victory in Kennewick. Tri-City dominated from the start as they scored a season-high five goals in the first period.

Tri-City opened the scoring just 40 seconds into the game. Portland defenseman Ryan McCleary, a Pittsburg Penguins prospect, had the puck in his own zone and Jordan Gavin lifted his stick to steal it away. Gavin then spun and found Tyson Greenway in the slot, who fired a shot past the blocker of Dante Giannuzzi to give Tri-City a 1-0 lead.

Gavin, still just 15-years-old with a late 2006 birthday, leads the Americans in assists with 10 through 10 games. He is currently tied with the most points for a WHL rookie with two goals and 10 assists. Seattle’s Gracyn Sawchyn, 17-years-old, also has 12 points. Gavin will compete with Team Canada Black at the upcoming World U-17 Hockey Challenge in November.

5:34 into the game, Adam Mechura extended Tri-City’s lead to two as he took a cross-ice pass from Deagan McMillan and scored low blocker-side with a wrist shot on Giannuzzi. Ian Ferguson also received an assist on the play.

Two minutes later Deagan McMillan scored backdoor on the power play as he tapped home Tri-City’s third goal of the night off a cross-crease pass from Tyson Greenway. Jake Sloan had the secondary assist on the play.

Tyson Greenway added another goal 8:45 into the game as he deflected a shot from Lukas Dragicevic, set up by Parker Bell.

After allowing four Americans goals on 10 shots, Giannuzzi was relieved in net by Jan Špunar.

Marek Alscher was able to break past Tomas Suchanek and get the Winterhawks on the board at 14:25.

Tri-City continued their first period hot streak, scoring their fifth goal 57-seconds before the first intermission on the power play. Jake Sloan swept in the puck from the crease off a bouncing cross-ice pass from Tyson Greenway after an initial shot from Deagan McMillan.

Tri-City was outshot 23-9 in the first period, but took a 5-1 lead into intermission.

Scoring slowed down in the second period but the Americans held on to their dominant lead.

Tyson Greenway recorded his first WHL hat trick as he added his third goal of the night halfway through the game. The goal was scored with a wrist shot from the slot as Greenway picked up a rebound off a shot from Chase Friedt-Mohr. Jake Sloan also assisted the goal, his third point of the night.

Greenway finished the night with three goals and two assists.

Tri-City held on to their 6-1 lead into the final period. Portland began to make comeback push as Marcus Nguyen and Gabe Klassen added goals for the Winterhawks, cutting Tri-City’s lead to 6-3, but the Americans regained control.

Parker Bell netted the empty-net dagger for Tri-City with a minute remaining in the game.

Tomas Suchanek played the full game in net for the Americans as he turned aside 44 of 47 shots faced.

Tri-City has now won three straight games, all against U.S. Division opponents and with Suchanek in net.

Final: 7-3 TC

Shots: 47-25 POR

Up next, the Americans will embark on a six-game Eastern Conference road trip through Saskatchewan and Manitoba. It will be the first time Tri-City has visited the Eastern Division since 2018-19.

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