Another comeback win for Americans

Kennewick, WA. -- In a game that could have easily gone bad because of a major penalty short handed situation, the Tri-City Americans didn't panic and stayed the course, once again coming from behind to defeat the Prince George Cougars 5-2 Tuesday night, before 2,638 at the Toyota Center in Kennewick.

Late in a scoreless first period, Tri-City's Kyle Olson was assessed a major penalty for cross checking, that carried over into the second period. On that opportunity, PG's Vladislav Mikhalchuk scored from Matej Toman and Rhett Rhinehart at 2:47, putting the Cougars on top 1-0. Just a scant 24 seconds later however, Americans' Captain Nolan Yaremko scored his 12th goal, the team's first short handed goal of the season, assisted by Parker AuCoin at 3:11, tying the game 1-1. But 58 seconds after that, still on Olson's penalty, Mikhalchuk scored again for Prince George, from Cole Moberg and Ethan Browne at 4:09, giving the advantage back to the Cougars at 2-1. However, instead of letting it deflate them, Tri-City just became more determined, took over and took control of the game from there, scoring four times and shutting down the visitors, en route to the victory. Isaac Johnson scored his 9th of the season, coming on the power play off a bullet pass from newcomer Aaron Hyman at 9:51 to tie the game 2-2, Krystof Hrabik would bust through the defence for his 7th of the season, assisted by Sasha Mutala and Samuel Stewart at 18:42, putting the Americans on top 3-2 after 40 minutes.

In the third, Mutala scored his 6th of the season from Riley Sawchuk and Connor Bouchard at 6:00 for a 4-2 lead and with the goaltender pulled, Mitchell Brown sent everyone to Burger Ranch with an empty net at 18:02, Johnson drawing the lone helper and Tri-City would skate off with the 5-2 win.

Beck Warm continued his stellar play in goal for the Americans, stopping 39 of 41 shots faced, while his counterpart at the other end, Isaiah DiLaura, stopped 19 of 23 for Prince Gorge. Tri-City went 1-for-5 on the power play, the Cougars were 2-for-4.

With the win, the Americans, winners of two straight, improve to 14-9-0-0 for 28 points, 4th in the U.S. Division, 1 point back of 3rd place Spokane and in possession of the first Wild Card in the Western Conference. Prince George slips to 10-12-1-2 for 23 points and sit 3rd in the B.C. Division, tied with Kelowna and 1 point back of second place Victoria.

Tri-City is off until Friday night, when they host the Kelowna Rockets at Toyota Center at 7:05 pm. Then, on Saturday, December 1st, the Americans hit the road and play Vancouver in the Giants' old stomping grounds, Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver. Friday's face off in Kennewick is 7:05, with Saturday's puck drop in Vancouver taking place at 7:00 pm. The live broadcast both nights with Craig West begins with the Gesa Credit Union Warm Up Show on Newstalk 870 KFLD and newstalk870.am beginning at 6:45 pm both nights. The Cougars next play Wednesday night at Spokane.