The Tri-City Americans fell 5-2 in Spokane as their losing streak reached 11 games. It was a tight contest for much of the night, and Tri-City mounted a third-period surge, but Gavin Burcar delivered the dagger with a controversial wraparound goal with just seven minutes remaining.
First Period
Tri-City desperately needed a good start, and they got one.
In front of a sold-out crowd in Spokane, the Americans struck on their first shot of the game. Leading scorer Savin Virk found space past Carter Esler for his 24th goal of the season just three minutes in. Connor Dale forced a pass into the slot, and Virk got just enough of it to redirect the puck past Esler.
With the assist, Dale recorded his 100th career point in the WHL, snapping an eight-game pointless streak.
Spokane answered quickly, however, and the Virk tally proved to be Tri-City’s only highlight of the period.
Goaltender Xavier Wendt attempted to rim the puck around the boards from behind his net but sent it directly to Owen Martin along the far wall. Martin fired toward the net, the shot was blocked, and Logan Wormald gathered the loose puck in the slot and beat an out-of-position Wendt to tie the game.
With the rivals meeting for the third time in a week, tensions boiled over midway through the period. Grady Martin of Tri-City and Chase Harrington of Spokane dropped the gloves at center ice, exchanging heavy blows before officials stepped in.
Spokane then grabbed the lead late in the period on a power play that has troubled Tri-City all season.
During a frantic scramble in front, Wendt made multiple stops, but the Americans failed to clear the puck. Czech import Dominik Petr poked the puck free from defenseman Elick, who was sprawled in the crease, and lifted it over Wendt from a sharp angle.
After one period, Spokane led 2-1 and had outshot Tri-City 16-4.
Second Period
Spokane extended its lead early in the second when Ethan Hughes, a cancer survivor, scored on Hockey Fights Cancer Night in Spokane. Left uncovered on the backdoor, Hughes made it 3-1 Chiefs.
Wendt kept Tri-City within striking distance. After a Tri-City power play expired, Spokane cleared the zone, and Coco Armstrong stepped out of the penalty box for a clear breakaway. Wendt came up with a huge stop to prevent further damage.
After two periods, Spokane held a 3-1 advantage and a commanding 26-13 edge in shots. Wendt’s steady play in net was the primary reason the Americans remained within two goals, as their power play continued to struggle.
Third Period
Tri-City found life seven minutes into the third.
Dale made a strong read at center ice and gained entry into the Spokane end and moved the puck to Virk along the near boards. Virk returned the favor, finding Dale on the backdoor, and he lifted a shot over Esler’s shoulder to pull the Americans within one.
At the first media timeout, Tri-City appeared to have seized momentum, pressing hard for the equalizer and looking like a completely different team.
That momentum vanished on a controversial sequence.
Martin collided with Wendt in the crease, knocking the goaltender Wendt down to the ice. Gavin Burcar of Spokane then quickly wrapped the puck around into the net. The goal was initially waved off for goaltender interference but went to review. After a brief review, the call was overturned, and the goal stood, putting Spokane ahead 4-2 in a pivotal moment in what seemed to be a clear case of Goaltender interference.
Tri-City earned a late power play but could not capitalize as it did not offset what was an atrocious call earlier.
Owen Martin would later add an insurance marker to seal the 5-2 final for a Spokane win.
Postgame / What’s Next
Despite a promising third-period push, the Americans’ skid reached 11 straight losses. They now sit five points outside of a playoff spot and 10th in the Western Conference at 25-28-4-1.
Spokane now holds a 5-1 edge in the season series, with Tri-City’s lone victory coming on New Year’s Eve.
Dale finished with a goal and an assist for his first multi-point effort in nine games. Carter Esler stopped 22 of 24 shots to earn his seventh straight win, while Xavier Wendt was on the opposite side of the spectrum, suffering his seventh consecutive loss in net.
The Americans will try to snap the streak next Tuesday at home against the last-place team in the Western Conference, the Vancouver Giants at 7:05 p.m.
