With four key players out of the lineup, it was a case of if you were healthy, you were playing for Tri-City. The Americans played well at times and had their chances throughout the night but could not convert. Seattle ultimately pulled away in the third period with three goals to secure a 5–1 win.
First Period
It was a mirror image of the previous night in Tri-City, as Seattle came out strong and was helped by some undisciplined penalties from the Americans. Jaxen Adam alone took two penalties in the opening period.
Just two minutes into the game, the Thunderbirds opened the scoring after a turnover by Tri-City. Matej Pekar capitalized and made no mistake.
Soon after, Tri-City defenseman Jaxen Adam, who has struggled with discipline lately, was called for interference, and Seattle quickly made it 2–0.
Kosick patiently held the puck in the slot and snapped a shot past goaltender Ryan Grout with plenty of space.
Seattle controlled the remainder of the period, though Tri-City did get a late power play. The Americans’ power play had been producing recently, scoring on three of their last four opportunities, but they could not convert despite generating a few looks.
After one period, Seattle led 2–0 and outshot Tri-City 16–7. The Americans were fortunate the deficit wasn’t larger, thanks to several great stops from Ryan Grout. Tri-City would need to find another gear, or the game risked getting out of control.
Second Period
Connor Dale put the Americans on the board just 58 seconds in with his 24th goal of the season and made it a one-goal game off the bat.
Dale has started to heat back up after going eight games without a point, now recording points in three of his last four games.
With the Thunderbirds buzzing, Ryan Grout made several outstanding saves. Seattle applied nearly a minute and a half of relentless pressure before Tri-City finally cleared the zone. At the halfway point of the period, the shots were 25–10 in favor of Seattle, but the score remained 2–1.
Both teams traded power-play opportunities midway through the period, but neither could capitalize. Tri-City received their third power play of the night with two minutes remaining and a chance to tie the game but moved to 0-for-3 despite some crisp puck movement and solid looks.
After two periods, the Americans had cut the deficit to one goal, trailing Seattle 2–1, with Ryan Grout giving them a chance heading into the third.
Third Period
The third period began with promise for Tri-City, but the game quickly slipped away.
Early in the period, Gavin Garland poked the puck away at the Tri-City blue line and broke in alone on a breakaway. However, Seattle goaltender Marek Sklenicka tracked Garland well and made a glove save.
Moments later, Brock England hit the post with a shot that deflected back underneath Grout. Grout was unable to cover the puck, and Brayden Holberton jumped on the rebound and buried it to make it 3–1 Seattle just three minutes into the period, a back-breaking goal for the Americans.
Seattle added two more goals to seal the game, with Sawyer Mayes scoring from long range and Matej Pekar adding his second goal of the night.
Postgame / What’s Next
Tri-City returns to the loss column with a 5–1 defeat as Seattle pulled away in the third period.
The Americans were outshot 40–28. Seattle went 1-for-4 on the power play, while Tri-City finished 0-for-4.
Tri-City now heads to Portland to close out a three-in-three weekend.
The last time the Americans were in Portland, Gavin Garland scored a buzzer-beater to force overtime before Jake Gudelj netted the game-winner in late December.
With just seven games remaining, it is now a must-win stretch for Tri-City, who sit four points out of a playoff spot. Seattle currently holds the final postseason position.
