Everett Blanks Tri-City 3-0

Kennewick, WA- All win streaks must come to an end.

Two winning streaks came to an end on Friday night as the Everett Silvertips (7-13-0-2, 16 pts) defeated the Tri-City Americans (12-7-1-1, 26 pts) 3-0 in front of 3,667 at the Toyota Center.

The loss snaps the Americans three game win streak and a four game win streak against the Silvertips. Everett snaps a seven game losing streak overall and a five game losing streak in Kennewick dating back to last season.

The Americans had more chances in the period with two power play opportunities and outshot the Silvertips 14-6, but weren’t able to score in the first. It was Everett that got on the board 18:20 into the first as Trent Lofthouse redirected a Mirco Mueller slap shot into the net for a 1-0 lead after one.

Everett increased that lead early in the second period. Kohl Bauml scored a goal that deflected off the boards and into the net. The Americans had some chances in the period, but the Silvertips had control throughout the period, moving the puck well and out shooting Tri-City 10-7 in the second. The Americans had a power play but couldn’t score as they went into the third period down by two.

Tri-City applied the pressure in the third to try and get back into the game. Marcus Messier had a good chance in the period on a breakaway, but his wrist shot was denied. Everett added a goal midway through the third period as Stathis Soumelidis picked up a Tri-City turnover and slipped it through Eric Comrie’s legs to make it 3-0. The Americans kept fighting through the rest of the game but couldn’t generate any goals as the Silvertips earned the victory.

This is the second time this season the Americans have been shutout but the first on home ice. The last time the Americans were shutout on home ice was January 5, 2008 when they lost to the Spokane Chiefs 3-0.  

Comrie made 22 saves in the loss, while Austin Lotz made 35 saves in his first shutout win of the season.

The Americans have a tough test coming to the Toyota Center on Saturday, November 10 as the Kamloops Blazers (17-3-0-1, 35 pts) come to town. Kamloops has the best record in the WHL and is ranked second in the CHL Top 10 Rankings. Kamloops has the top two scorers in the league in JC Lipon and Colin Smith. Tri-City was 1-2-0-1 against the Blazers last season, winning an overtime game 3-2 and losing in a shootout 4-3 in the two games in Kennewick. Game time is at 7:05 p.m. NewsTalk 870 will broadcast the game beginning at 6:45 p.m. with the pregame show. WHL Live will stream the game online starting at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are available at the Toyota Center box office, any Fred Meyer outlet, at any Ticketmaster location or online at Ticketmaster.com.

Jack in the Box Three Stars:
1. Austin Lotz, Everett
2. Mirco Mueller, Everett
3. Marcus Messier, Tri-City