TRI-CITIES, Wash.-The Tri-City Americans staved off elimination in the first-round of the Western Hockey League (WHL) Playoffs with a 6-4 win over the Victoria Royals on April 2.
The six goals were scored by six different Americans as the team forced a game five in the best-of-seven series.
“Scoring depth is key for every team in the playoffs,” said Craig Beauchemin, Director of Broadcasting for the Americans. “Getting goals from six different players in a single game is an impressive showing, and hopefully a sign of things to come.”
The Americans went 32-28-6-1 this season to finish seventh overall, while Victoria skated to a 40-17-4-7 mark and second place.
“Sports, but junior hockey perhaps specifically, is about riding the ups and downs over the course of a season,” said Beauchemin of the American’s rollercoaster season, that included a 12-game win streak at one point. “Coaches always say the key is to not get too high or too low when things are going good or bad.”
The Americans have been playing hockey in the Tri-Cities since 1988, becoming engrained in the local community, with support growing to the greater-Tri-Cities area and into Eastern Oregon.
“We are lucky to have such incredible and passionate fans in the Tri-Cities and beyond,” said Beauchemin. “These people care deeply about the success of this team and its players, and they make their presence known every night at the Toyota Center.”
This season Good Shepherd Health Care System (GSHCS) in Hermiston partnered with the team to become the official healthcare provider of the Tri-City Americans.
GSHCS recently presented Kainoah Brankovic, an 18-year-old Defenseman for Tri-Cities, with the Humanitarian of the Year award, and the Americans also teamed up with the Good Shepherd Community Health Foundation to raise money for breast cancer awareness during the team’s annual Pink Ice Night game and jersey auction on Feb. 28.
The Americans will be counting on that continued support from fans and the community as they lace up the skates for game five against Victoria on Friday, April 4.
“The bigger the crowd, the more excited the players are to step out onto the ice,” said Beauchemin. “Home ice IS an advantage.”
Puck drop for game five between the Americans and Royals is 7:05 p.m. at the Toyota Center in Kennewick. Tickets are available online or by calling the Americans box office at 509-736-0606.
