Connor Dale capped off a stellar weekend with a two-point night—giving him six points in two games, including the game-winning goal—while Ryan Grout delivered one of his best performances of the season, stopping 30 shots in route to a 4-2 Win over Prince George.
First Period
Just 30 seconds into the game, Ryan Grout faced his first major challenge, turning aside a close-range attempt from Terik Parascak as he drove the net.
Grout needed to be sharp for Tri-City to keep pace with Prince George’s high-powered offense, and he answered the call early.
Tri-City generated their first golden chance minutes later when Jakub Vanecek was left with a rebound at the backdoor, but he fanned on the opportunity with Alexander Levshyn down and reaching.
Later, Jaxen Adam came up with a standout defensive play, knocking the puck away from Parascak just as the Cougar standout and Washington Capitals prospect appeared to break free for a breakaway.
Inside the final minute, Gavin Garland broke through layers of Prince George defenders to create a two-on-one. Garland slid a pass across to Savin Virk, who fired a shot that was denied by a sprawling Levshyn.
A high-tempo, chance-filled first period ended scoreless with Tri-City trailing 14–10 in shots, but very much in the fight heading into the second.
Second Period
Just a minute into the middle frame, Tri-City nearly struck first. Connor Dale sped down the boards and delivered a sharp pass to Savin Virk on the backdoor off the rush, but Virk whiffed on what likely would have been his ninth goal of the year.
Another Americans chance came near the eight-minute mark when Crew Martinson toe-dragged into the slot and fired a rising wrist shot that narrowly cleared the top corner.
Tri-City finally broke through halfway through the period thanks to Connor Dale’s blazing speed.
Dale collected the puck in the defensive zone, turned on the jets, and created a two-on-one with Grady Martin. At the perfect moment, he slid a pass across to Martin, who buried it with ease, giving Martin goals in back-to-back games.
Prince George nearly answered before the media timeout, but Grout stood tall again, flashing the pad to deny Parascak after he walked around the Americans defense.
Tri-City then earned their second power play of the period after an Aiden Foster boarding call, and this time they capitalized.
Off the draw, Virk scanned from the right point and found Garland unmarked in the left circle. Garland uncorked a one-timer that beat Levshyn cleanly, making it 2–0.
But discipline began to slip from Tri-City. Ismail Abogouche took a slashing penalty shortly after the goal, sending Prince George—owners of the WHL’s top-ranked power play at 37%—to their first chance of the night. The penalty trouble continued as Garland was called for roughing late in the kill.
Tri-City Head Coach Jody Hull stressed how important specifically tonight was, more than others, to stay disciplined.
“There’s emphasis every game on the penalty kill, but more emphasis tonight, for sure. When you’re playing a team that runs along a 37% power play, you’ve got to be smart about your stuff. I thought we had total control of the game and took a couple of unnecessary penalties that got Prince George back in it.”
Tri-City couldn’t survive the sequence. As Abogouche stepped out of the box, Parascak fed Dmitri Yakutsenak alone in front for a quick one-timer that beat Grout and cut the Americans’ lead to 2–1.
Despite the late pressure, Tri-City escaped with a one-goal lead heading into the third.
Third Period
After last night’s collapse, Tri-City played a poised, structured third period early on—holding Prince George to just one shot through the first seven minutes.
Hull spoke on the start of the third following the game as the team appeared to be in it right from the get go compared to the slow start in the third last night.
“That’s part of it, you just have to keep learning those things and building on those things. We haven’t necessarily been in these situations before, so you know it is going to take some time with the younger team. There’s gonna be more games like this. What I like about it is we’re sticking together and playing as a team, and that’s the big difference for me.”
Then came a flurry of near-misses at the other end. After a relentless forecheck, Virk, Garland, and Dale each had prime scoring chances in tight, but the puck refused to go in as Levshyn scrambled to cover and American’s players were stunned.
Past the halfway mark, Prince George came inches from tying the game on two separate chances that rang off the post behind Grout.
With 8:20 remaining, Foster took his second minor of the night, giving Tri-City a third power play opportunity and a chance to put the game away.
But instead it turned disastrous.
On a failed zone entry, Prince George countered, and Parascak found Lee Shurgot completely alone in the slot. Shurgot walked in and snapped one blocker-side past Grout to make it 2–2 at 12:34.
Tri-City was not phased and continued pressing despite this, and the breakthrough finally came with just 1:39 remaining.
Charlie Elick floated a shot from the point that Levshyn punched into the slot. Dale jumped on it and quickly lifted a backhander past the goaltender, sending the Toyota Center into a roar and restoring the Americans’ lead.
Virk sealed it moments later with a full-ice empty-netter, closing out a 4–2 Tri-City victory.
Postgame / What’s Next
The Americans have now won four straight and improved to 12-9-2, climbing into 7th place in the Western Conference—a playoff position.
Tri-City Head Coach Jody Hull shared his thoughts on the game afterwards
“I thought we played a pretty solid game, again. We just took a couple undisciplined penalties that allowed them to get back into the game and you know they’re a a good hockey team. When you’re a good hockey team, you know, you’re going to find ways to get back into games. But again, we’ve been resilient all year and we clawed ourselves back to get those two goals and get a big win.”
This wrapped up the season series with Prince George, with the teams splitting 2–2 and each winning once at home and on the road.
Overage forward Connor Dale was the clear star of the weekend, erupting for three goals and three assists in two games, earning First and Second Star honors.
Jody Hull spoke on the play of Connor Dale this weekend after tonight’s 4-2 Win.
“That’s the nice thing, Connor went that stretch without getting any points, and this weekend he’s playing the way he’s capable of playing. He’s really been a great addition to our club since he came over from Swift Current.”
Grady Martin also continued his strong return from a hand injury, scoring his third goal in four games.
Tri-City now turns their attention to Wednesday night’s matchup against Swift Current, who sit at the bottom of the WHL standings.
Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
