The Tri-City Americans pulled off an incredible feat on Saturday night, scoring with just 1.3 seconds remaining to force overtime before Jake Gudelj ended it in extra time, sealing a dramatic victory and extending Tri-City’s winning streak to five games and sweeping the weekend series against Portland.

First Period

Tri-City were off to another strong start for the second night in a row, striking first once again just five minutes in.

From the left point, David Byrne fired a shot through traffic that was tipped at the last moment by Grady Martin and redirected past the goaltender for his fourth goal of the season.

The Americans nearly doubled the lead moments later following some crisp tic-tac-toe passing, but a point-blank one-timer from the low slot by defenseman Carter Savage was denied by Cruz Chase.

Midway through the period, captain Ryan Miller and Grady Martin dropped the gloves, marking Martin’s second fight in as many nights. Miller was assessed an extra penalty on the play, giving Tri-City a power-play opportunity as they looked to get things going after being shut down the night before by Portland’s penalty kill.

Once again, the Winterhawks’ penalty kill stood tall. Shortly after killing it off, Portland earned a power-play chance of their own when Crew Martinson was called for slashing.

Tri-City went shorthanded again late in the period, and this time it came back to bite them. Just ten seconds into the power play, Miller ripped a one-timer from the slot past Ryan Grout after Alex Weirmiar set him up from the left circle.

Only 23 seconds later, Miller and Weirmiar appeared to connect again for what would have been the go-ahead goal, but Miller was whistled for goaltender interference, wiping the tally off the board. After the dust settled, Tri-City earned a late power play that carried over into the second.

After a highly physical and chippy contest the night before, that intensity carried over, with 12 penalties called in the opening frame. Despite the chaos, the game was tied 1–1 after one.

Second Period

Following the frantic first period, Tri-City opened the second with 1:35 remaining on the power play.

That advantage was cut short just over a minute in, however, as Alexander Laing was called for high-sticking.

Portland nearly grabbed its first lead moments later when Reed Brown rang a shot off the crossbar, drawing a collective groan from the Portland faithful.

Tri-City regained the lead late in the period as Crew Martinson scored for the second straight night.

As the Americans were in the midst of a line change, Grady Martin charged down the left wing with little support. He maneuvered around multiple Portland defenders before dropping the puck to the hard-charging Martinson in the slot. Martinson snapped a wrist shot from the high slot and buried it.

Portland answered just minutes later, as Miller scored his second of the night. His initial shot from the slot was stopped by Grout, but the puck trickled behind the goaltender, allowing Miller to swoop in and bang home the rebound.

After 40 minutes, the stage was set for a thrilling third period with the game tied 2–2.

Third Period

Tri-City wasted no time reclaiming the lead, as Savin Virk struck just 48 seconds into the period.

Connor Dale spun below the right circle and sent a centering feed to Virk, who one-timed it past Chase for his third goal of the weekend.

Miller, who had been a constant thorn in Tri-City’s side all night, completed the hat trick moments later. Fed at the point, Miller fired a quick wrist shot that beat Grout blocker side, just above the pad.

Connor Dale nearly put Tri-City back in front soon after, racing past a Portland defender on a breakaway from center ice, but Chase shut the door on his five-hole attempt.

With momentum swinging Portland’s way, the Winterhawks took their first lead of the night. Carter Sotheran recorded his 100th career assist with a saucer pass to Jake Gustafson, who was driving the net and redirected the puck past Grout to make it 4–3.

With time winding down and Grout on the bench for the extra attacker, Tri-City pulled off a miracle.

After Portland missed multiple chances to seal it with an empty-net goal, a turnaround shot by Pavao missed wide and was collected by Dale in the left circle. Showing patience, Dale slid a perfect feed to Gavin Garland on the backdoor, who tapped it in to silence the Veterans Memorial Coliseum with just 1.3 seconds remaining.

Overtime

Jake Gudelj wasted no time ending it.

Carter Savage sent a stretch pass to Gudelj, who went one-on-one with a Portland defender along the left-wing before cutting to the middle on his backhand and firing a slick backhander from the slot that beat Chase blocker side, stunning the Portland crowd and sealing the comeback.

Postgame / What’s Next

With the win, Tri-City improved to 18-13-2 and extended their winning streak to five games.

The Americans were fueled by a two-goal performance from Grady Martin and a three-assist night from Connor Dale, who recorded the primary assist on the last-second tying goal by Garland.

Tri-City finished 0-for-3 on the power play, while Portland went 1-for-5. The Americans outshot the Winterhawks 35–29, marking the second straight night they held the shot advantage.

Tri-City will now look to close out the calendar year on a high note in the annual New Year’s Eve matchup against the Spokane Chiefs, with puck drop set for 6:05 p.m.