Outside of the first minute in the third period, Tri-City controlled play for most of the night, and with the help of a two-goal, two-assist night from Connor Dale and a 33-save performance from Xavier Wendt, the Americans took down Tij Iginla’s Kelowna Rockets once again, this time by a score of 5-2.
First Period
Early on, Tri-City generated a great chance as tensions were already starting to rise.
Mazden Leslie was late with a hit along the boards and was called for boarding. After the whistle, Rowan Guest and Grady Martin got into it and were assessed roughing minors.
Tri-City still came away with a power play and had a chance to open the scoring against the Memorial Cup hosts.
Off the draw, Garland cut into the slot and backhanded a chance alone in front, but Banini made the save.
With the power play winding down, a loose puck that Banini didn’t see sat in the blue paint, but Kelowna cleared it at the last moment.
Just under halfway through, overage forward Connor Dale broke in on a breakaway and slid the puck five-hole on Josh Banini for his sixth of the year, unassisted.
Following a physical opening frame, Tri-City led 1-0 despite being outshot 13-8. Defenseman Mazden Leslie was bailed out multiple times by the Rockets’ penalty kill, and Tri-City had a solid first period considering it was their first game back after Thanksgiving.
Second Period
The second period began much slower than the first, with both teams combining for just two shots in the opening seven minutes.
Kelowna had a great opportunity with a power play after play was blown dead and Cash Koch was called for slashing.
The Rockets were held to just one shot, and right as Koch exited the box the puck was cleared to him at center. Koch barreled in on a two-on-one, lost the puck briefly, but still fired a shot that was blockered away towards the slot. Out of nowhere came Grady Martin the trailer, who batted the puck out of the air and in for his second of the year.
The goal went under review, presumably for a high stick, but the call on the ice stood and Tri-City went up 2-0.
After the whistle, Jake Gudelj took a late hit, and both teams exchanged shoves. In the aftermath, Kelowna was awarded its third power play of the night.
Wendt made several strong saves, and Tri-City improved to 3-for-3 on the penalty kill.
Following the game, Jody Hull discussed how pivotal the penalty kill was in preventing Kelowna from grabbing momentum in the second.
“I thought our penalty killing is slowly getting better and guys are buying into it. I mentioned after the game, a couple kills against a good power play team, you know, you can definitely feed off of that stuff.”
Tri-City nearly made it 3-0 late in the period when Savin Virk broke in on a partial breakaway after a stretch pass and connected with Gavin Garland. Garland attempted a backhand move but lost the puck at the last second.
In the closing seconds, Cruz Pavao forced a turnover and raced into the Rockets’ end on a two-on-one. He slid the puck to Adam, who snapped a quick shot that Banini turned aside.
After forty minutes, Tri-City led 2-0 while being outshot 22-16. The Americans’ defensive structure and penalty kill had been excellent, denying Kelowna any sustained momentum.
Third Period
After being shut down for two periods, Kelowna came out firing and scored twice in the first 45 seconds of the third to tie the game—both goals coming from their top line, turning the opening minute into a nightmare for Tri-City.
Thirteen seconds in, Charlie Elick attempted a breakout pass that was intercepted at the Tri-City blue line by Shane Smith. Smith stepped in and wired a wrister past Wendt from the left circle to make it 2-1.
Just 31 seconds later, Utah Mammoth prospect Tij Iginla tied it.
Drifting down the left wing, Mazden Leslie fired a shot on goal that Wendt stopped, but he fell as the puck remained loose. Iginla swept in and backhanded it past a crowd of Tri-City bodies and the sprawling Wendt.
American’s Head Coach Jody Hull addressed what went wrong during that disastrous first minute.
“Just coming out of the period flat really, they put all their eggs in one basket all on that one line to try for a little bit of a push. You know they’re gonna do that. That’s what happens usually on a veteran team. But we managed to stop it, stop the slide and get back at it.”
Tri-City responded well, and after a strong forecheck they regained the lead with 8:22 left.
Connor Dale and Savin Virk forced a turnover, with Virk tipping the puck to Dale in the right circle. Dale powered a backhander past Banini to make it 3-2.
Moments later, Tri-City’s momentum led to another goal.
Dale entered the zone and fed Virk in the slot, whose shot was stopped. The rebound bounced right to Gavin Garland at the backdoor, where he tapped it into a wide-open net for a 4-2 lead.
Kelowna had fallen off the tracks, and two minutes later Cash Koch and Cruz Pavao teamed up to send Tri-City to Burger Ranch.
Off a defensive-zone draw, Pavao skated the puck out and fed Koch entering the zone with speed. Koch cut down the left side and slid a pass to Pavao driving the net, who buried it from in tight.
Tri-City would then close out the game and secure the 5-2 Victory to improve to 11-9-2.
Post Game / What’s Next
Tri-City improves to 2-0 on the season against Kelowna and 11-9-2 overall. The Americans now sit tied for a playoff spot and will face the Rockets twice more on the road later this season.
Connor Dale had his best night as an American, posting two goals and two assists to earn first-star honors after going four games without a point.
Jody Hull shared his assessment of the game:
“We had two really strong periods, and we had one minute of some brain cramps, and then nineteen minutes of pretty good hockey. Hopefully we can learn from that one-minute stint in the third and rewind.”
The Americans now shift their focus to the Prince George Cougars, who defeated them 9-3 the last time they met at the Toyota Center. Tri-City will look to extend its winning streak to four games.
Hull also spoke about the upcoming matchup with Prince George:
“We have to use the momentum a little bit to our advantage, it’s going to be tough, but our focus tonight was on this game and then you know let the guys enjoy it. And then refocus tomorrow when they get to the rink in the morning, you know, get ready to go.”
Puck drop is scheduled for 6:05 PM on Saturday.
