Tri-City kicked off a three-in-three road trip in Vancouver on Friday night, facing off against two former Americans, Cash Koch and David Byrne.
Sixteen-year-old forward and Yale commit Justin Moon was also making his WHL debut for Tri-City.
After going 0-2 last weekend, the Americans got back to their winning ways Friday night. Despite a shaky first period, Tri-City responded with two excellent periods of hockey to come away with a 5-3 victory on the road.
First Period
Tri-City got off to a sloppy start, struggling with its breakouts while Vancouver applied pressure early.
Ryan Grout, getting the start in net for Tri-City, had to be sharp from the opening minutes. Before the first media timeout, he made an impressive backdoor splits save on an unmarked Joe Iginla.
Following a strong penalty kill after Justin Moon was called for high-sticking during his first career WHL shift, Tri-City was breaking out on a two-on-one opportunity.
However, Jaxen Adam took an unnecessary cross-checking penalty in front of the Tri-City net, eliminating a promising scoring opportunity.
Vancouver made the Americans pay, opening the scoring on a broken play that ended with Mathis Preston banging home a backdoor opportunity for his 12th goal of the season.
After controlling the majority of the opening period, Vancouver’s undisciplined play eventually caught up with them. A series of penalties gave Tri-City some abbreviated five-on-three time, and Jakub Vanecek capitalized with just 23 seconds remaining in the period.
Vanecek received a pass from Eli McKamey at the point, stepped forward, and ripped a wrist shot glove side past Giants goaltender Burke Hood to even the game at one.
Despite the score being tied 1-1 after 20 minutes, Tri-City had been heavily outplayed. The Americans generated very little offensively, while some undisciplined penalties from Vancouver allowed them to stay in the game.
There was plenty for Tri-City to clean up heading into the second period. Poor breakouts and sloppy puck management could not continue if they wanted to leave Vancouver with a win.
However, one positive was the play of Ryan Grout. After allowing four goals against Medicine Hat last weekend and being pulled after the first period, Grout responded with nine saves in the opening frame, allowing just one goal despite Vancouver generating several quality scoring chances.
Second Period
The second period turned into a completely different story for Tri-City. After a difficult opening 20 minutes, the Americans came out looking like an entirely different team, although things did not start quite how they would have hoped.
Another penalty came back to bite Tri-City early in the period, as Vancouver regained the lead at 2-1. All three goals to that point had come on the power play.
Leading up to Vancouver’s second goal, Tobias Tomek was doing a good job killing time on the penalty kill, dancing around with the puck before Koji Gibson took a questionable tripping penalty.
Vancouver capitalized on a beautiful tic-tac-toe passing play, with Brogan McNeil tapping the puck home on the backdoor past an outstretched Ryan Grout.
However, a costly giveaway from Vancouver quickly erased the momentum Vancouver had built.
David Huk provided a strong forecheck, putting Vancouver on its heels in their own end. This forced a turnover in the Giants zone after a no-look, behind-the-back pass found nobody.
Cruz Pavao intercepted the puck and centered it to Koji Gibson, who found himself in the right place at the right time.
With Burke Hood having little time to get set, Gibson ripped the puck home for his second goal of the season to tie the game.
Tri-City wasn’t finished there.
Following an icing and the ensuing faceoff, Brock Cheslock cleaned up a scramble in front of the Vancouver net. After jamming away at the puck several times, Cheslock eventually watched it trickle across the goal line to give the Americans their first lead of the night.
It was a well-deserved first career WHL goal for the rookie out of Minnesota.
Tri-City carried its 3-2 lead into the third period after dominating much of the middle frame. The Americans completely flipped the script from the opening period, nearly tripling Vancouver’s shot total with a 17-7 advantage in the second.
After such a strong response, Tri-City would look to carry that momentum into the final 20 minutes and secure its first win following last weekend’s two losses.
Third Period
The third period moved along quickly with very few whistles, but Alexander Laing gave Vancouver an opportunity to gain some momentum with 10 minutes remaining.
Following a whistle, Laing took the puck and snapped it into the Vancouver net, at this stage of the game, or any point, there is no explanation for doing it. Laing was subsequently assessed an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
Thankfully for Tri-City, the Giants were unable to capitalize on the opportunity.
However, the Americans once again gave Vancouver a chance to get back into the game, taking another unnecessary penalty that could have proven costly after Jakub Vanecek was called for roughing.
With the Vancouver net empty late in the game, Koji Gibson took advantage of a sloppy play by the Giants and broke away for an empty-net goal, recording his second of the night and giving Tri-City some much-needed insurance.
The game wasn’t quite over, though, as Vancouver managed to get one back on a shot from Jakob Oreksovic.
It wouldn’t be enough for the Giants, as it was too little to late and Evan Wanner added another empty-net goal with just one second remaining to seal the 5-3 victory for Tri-City.
Postgame / What’s Next
Tri-City came away with a 5-3 victory over Vancouver on Friday night, moving to 7-8-1 on the season.
Koji Gibson recorded a multi-goal performance in what was arguably his best game of the season so far.
After struggling through the opening period, the Americans completely turned things around, outshooting Vancouver 30-13 over the final 40 minutes.
Cruz Pavao also had an impressive night, recording three assists. It marked the second time in his career that he has recorded three assists in a single game.
Tri-City will look to carry its offensive success into Victoria on Saturday night, where they will face one of the top teams in the CHL this season.
The Royals also feature another former Tri-City American from last season, dangerous goal scorer Savin Virk.
Puck drop is scheduled for 5:05 P.M. Saturday night.
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