Tri-City began its annual doubleheader in Prince George on Friday night after opening its road trip with a loss to Kamloops on Wednesday.
The Americans came out swinging and, after being shut out by the Blazers, looked like a completely different team early Friday night. Despite a third-period barrage from the Prince George Cougars, Tri-City held on to avenge Wednesday’s 4-0 loss with a 4-2 victory.
Friday night was also a monumental occasion for Tri-City beyond the win, as 2026 first-round pick Kenzo Gibson made his WHL debut and had the opportunity to play alongside his brother, Koji Gibson.
First Period
The game got off to an ideal start for Tri-City, which delivered what was arguably its best opening period of the season, scoring twice in the first six minutes, with the goals coming just 20 seconds apart.
Eli McKamey, who has started his second WHL season red-hot, opened the scoring on the power play with his fourth goal of the season. McKamey unleashed a laser from the right circle that beat the goaltender high, finding the back of the net bar-down.
Just 20 seconds later, Tri-City doubled its lead through Grady Martin, the lone overage player on the Americans’ roster. Martin recorded his first goal of the season by capitalizing on a rebound after a Ben Oliverio shot was kicked out by Peyton Shore.
Defensively, Tri-City was sharp throughout the opening frame, limiting Prince George’s ability to establish its offensive zone presence. The Americans controlled the early momentum and carried a 2-0 lead into the first intermission.
Second Period
Tri-City picked up right where it left off, scoring just 44 seconds into the second period to extend its lead to three goals with its second power-play tally of the night.
McKamey set up David Huk at the back door, where Huk finished the play for his fifth goal of the season.
Prince George eventually responded, getting on the scoreboard just under nine minutes into the period to cut into the Americans’ lead.
One notable moment came midway through the second, when Carter Bylycia dropped the gloves for the third consecutive night. The fight, which was the second of the game, saw Bylycia land several solid right hands early before Cole Hajit answered with a series of punches of his own. Both players traded punches in an entertaining exchange that ultimately ended without a clear winner.
Both teams found the back of the net in the second period, but Tri-City maintained its two-goal advantage, taking a 3-1 lead into the final frame.
The Americans also improved to 3-1 this season when leading after two periods, while Prince George remained without a victory when trailing entering the third.
Third Period
The third period belonged largely to Prince George, as the Cougars appeared to have an extra step and applied consistent pressure throughout the frame.
Just three minutes into the period, Hajit, who had been involved in the second-period fight, brought the Cougars within one with a power-play goal. After leading 3-0 earlier in the game, Tri-City suddenly found itself facing a much tighter contest.
Prince George continued to push for the equalizer, putting the Americans under pressure as the clock wound down.
However, Tri-City managed to withstand the late surge. With the Cougars’ net empty late in the third, Jaxen Adam collected the puck and sent it the length of the ice and into an empty net to seal the victory. The goal was Adam’s second of the season and gave the Americans a 4-2 lead.
Tri-City held on to secure the win, while Prince George suffered its third consecutive defeat.
Postgame and What’s Next
Tri-City survived a third-period barrage from the Prince George Cougars to earn a 4-2 victory and improve its record to 5-6-1 on the season.
Four different Americans found the back of the net, but McKamey was a standout performer, contributing an early power-play goal and assisting on Huk’s second-period tally.
One of the biggest positives for Tri-City was its performance on the power play. After struggling to convert with the man advantage in recent games, the Americans scored twice on the power play Friday night. Both goals came at crucial moments and helped establish an early cushion that ultimately proved decisive.
Tri-City’s strong opening period was another key factor, as the Americans capitalized on their opportunities and prevented Prince George from finding its rhythm early. Although the Cougars controlled much of the third period, the Americans did enough defensively to preserve the lead.
The Americans will look to carry Friday night’s momentum into Saturday’s rematch as they aim to earn back-to-back victories and complete the doubleheader sweep in Prince George.
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