Tri-City extended their winning streak to seven games in the first game of 2026 with much thanks in large part to another stellar performance from Xavier Wendt, who made at least 40 saves for the second straight night, stopping 42 shots in the victory. The Americans’ third line was also firing on all cylinders, accounting for three of Tri-City’s four goals.
First Period
With both teams searching for the opening goal, a mistake nearly gave Victoria an early advantage. Aden Bouchard, chased down by Nolan Stewart in the Tri-City zone, whiffed on a pass, sending Stewart in alone on a breakaway. Wendt stood tall, turning aside the chance to keep the game scoreless in the opening minutes.
Tri-City opened the scoring soon after, as Crew Martinson struck with a sensational goal to give the Americans an early lead in Victoria.
Carter Kingerski carried the puck into the Royals’ zone and floated a pass toward Martinson driving hard to the net. The puck initially skipped just out of reach, but Martinson recovered it in front after Victoria defenseman Koltin Herfst inadvertently tapped it into his path. Martinson stepped around the defender, pulled the puck to his backhand, and slid it past Jake Pilon to make it 1–0.
Just under two minutes later, Tri-City doubled the lead with the third line continuing to generate momentum. Kingerski picked up his first career WHL goal after spinning in the left circle and firing a wrist shot that deflected off a Victoria stick and into the net. Kingerski had been the final player on the Americans’ roster without a goal this season.
Late in the period, Wyatt Danyleyko was clipped by Alexander Laing with a high stick, sending Danyleyko crashing into the Tri-City net and leaving him bleeding. The play was initially ruled a no-call, but after review—triggered by the cut—Laing was assessed a four-minute double minor.
Tri-City ended the period on the penalty kill but nearly extended the lead when Gavin Garland broke in shorthanded from center ice, driving the net and nearly sliding the puck through Pilon’s five-hole before it was swept off the goal line.
Despite the late penalty, the Americans carried a 2–0 lead into the intermission, opening 2026 on a strong note.
Second Period
Tri-City successfully killed off the remainder of the double minor but struggled to find their footing early in the second. Victoria applied heavy pressure, outshooting the Americans 17–7 through the first four minutes of the period.
After Xavier Wendt was run through by Cosmo Wilson, Tri-City earned its first power-play opportunity of the night. Charlie Elick nearly capitalized with a highlight-reel rush, driving the net and attempting to slide the puck five-hole, but Pilon denied him.
Victoria’s sustained pressure eventually paid off. Carter Savage attempted to clear the puck, but Ashton Brown kept it in at the line. Brown turned on the jets, worked the puck below the goal line, and snapped a backdoor feed to Heath Nelson, who buried his fifth goal in five games to cut the lead to 2–1.
After 40 minutes, Tri-City still held the advantage, but the Royals dominated the period, outshooting the Americans 20–7. Tri-City looked to regroup during the intermission and protect its slim lead.
Third Period
The third period saw Tri-City largely defending its lead, including a successful penalty kill midway through the frame.
Late in the period, the Americans regained their two-goal cushion as the third line struck once again. Carter Savage worked the puck to Jaxen Adam at the left point, and Adam fired a wrist shot that Martinson deftly tipped past Pilon for his second goal of the night.
There was brief discussion among the officials near the penalty box as Pilon argued that Martinson’s stick contacted his glove, but the goal stood, giving Martinson his first career multi-goal game.
With under a minute remaining, Connor Dale sealed the victory with an empty-net breakaway after a failed Victoria stretch pass, lifting Tri-City to a 4–1 win and extending its winning streak to seven games.
Postgame / What’s Next
Tri-City improves to 20–13–2, riding a seven-game heater dating back to December 13.
Despite being outshot heavily for the second consecutive night, Xavier Wendt was sensational once again. After stopping 48 shots on New Year’s Eve, Wendt turned aside 42 more in this one and will earn a well-deserved rest for the second game of the doubleheader.
The Americans’ third line of Carter Kingerski, Grady Martin, and Crew Martinson accounted for three of the four goals. Martin recorded his second multi-point game of the season and continues the best stretch of his WHL career, now sitting at 11 points in 20 games.
Tri-City will close out the weekend Sunday afternoon against the Royals before boarding the ferry and heading to Kelowna for a Wednesday night matchup.
