Feser Scores in Overtime, Americans Defeat Thunderbirds 4-3

Kent, WA- For the second straight night, 60 minutes wasn’t enough to determine a winner.

And for the second straight night, the Tri-City Americans (31-19-1-2, 65 pts) came out a winner, as Justin Feser scored the winning goal 27 seconds into overtime to earn a 4-3 win over the Seattle Thunderbirds (19-29-4-1, 43 pts) at the ShoWare Center.

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The Americans extend their overall win streak to three games and have won a season-high five consecutive away games. Tri-City has also won four straight against Seattle, including two in a row in Kent.

It was all Seattle in the first period, as they outshot the Americans 11-6. Seattle got on the board first midway through the period as Seth Swenson cut through the defense and made a nice pass to allow Connor Sanvido to tap it into a wide open net for a 1-0 lead. The Americans had one power play and a few opportunities to score, but couldn’t score as the Thunderbirds had the lead after one.

Seattle carried the momentum from the first into the second period, again outshooting the Americans 19-10. The Thunderbirds increased the lead to 2-0 midway through the second period as Jesse Forsberg scored. But Tri-City got on the board less than two minutes later as Parker Bowles scored to cut the lead to 2-1. The Americans were able to get some chances in the period, but went into the third period down by one.

The Americans came out strong in the third period, and tied the game midway through the third as Malte Strömwall deflected the puck into the goal to even the game. Seattle retook the lead as Swenson scored, beating Luke Lee-Knight on the blocker side to make it 3-2 with just over five minutes remaining in the game. The Americans pulled Lee-Knight to get the extra attacker, and scored 18:27 into the period as Justin Feser fired a slap shot from the blue line into the net to tie the game at three. Neither team could end the game before the end of regulation as the Americans went to overtime for the second straight night.

Tri-City wouldn’t let the game get to a shootout tonight, as Strömwall fed the puck to Feser in front of the net, who slapped it home to win the game.

With two goals tonight, Feser tied Adam Hughesman for third on the Americans all-time goals list with 140.

Lee-Knight played great for the second straight night, making 32 saves in the win. Brandon Glover made 24 saves in the loss.  

The Americans will head home and rest for five days before welcoming the Victoria Royals (28-19-1-3, 60 pts) to the Toyota Center on Feb. 8. Game time is at 7:05 p.m. Victoria has the advantage in the series 2-1, with the Americans lone win coming in overtime 3-2 as Plutnar’s goal barely beat the buzzer in Victoria. The lone game in Tri-City was a 4-3 shootout win by Victoria. NewsTalk 870 will broadcast the game starting at 6:45 p.m. with the pregame show. WHL Live will stream the game beginning at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are still 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. Seth Swenson, Seattle
2. Justin Hickman, Seattle
3. Parker Bowles, Tri-City