KENNEWICK, WA - After a frustrating loss the night before, the Tri-City Americans wanted to come out and make a statement in front of their hometown fans.  And what a statement they made.
 
Justin Feser notched his second career hat trick and Drew Owsley stopped 26 shots as the Americans (3-2-0-0, 6 pts) skated past the visiting Spokane Chiefs (2-2-1-0, 5 pts) 6-2 in front of 4,741 rowdy fans at the Toyota Center in Kennewick.  With the win, the Americans snapped their two-game losing skid and their three-game losing streak vs. the Chiefs.  Meanwhile, Spokane dropped their second straight game with the loss.  The rivalry will now get a bit of a break before the two teams meet again on October 24 in Spokane.
 
After going 0-for-5 last night, the Americans’ power play got going early on Saturday.  While on the man-advantage, Jordan Messier knocked in a pass from Sergei Drozd, beating Spokane starter James Reid.  With a power play goal of their own, the Chiefs responded 10 minutes later, tying the game at 1.  But, just 21 seconds later, Feser connected on his first of the night, putting Tri-City on top 2-1 headed into the first break.
 
Adam Hughesman stretched the Tri-City lead to two after his tally at the 7:06 mark of the second period but, three minutes later, Spokane’s Levko Koper responded with his second goal of the night, cutting the deficit down to 3-2.  Then, the Tri-City special teams began to click.
 
Just 13 seconds into their fifth power play opportunity, Feser connected again, this time redirecting a Brett Plouffe shot from the point.  But, the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back came at the 16:16 mark of the second period.  While killing off a Cody Castro penalty, Jarrett Toll let a clearing pass go from deep in the Americans’ zone.  Somehow, the bouncing puck found its way down the ice and between the pads of Reid, putting Tri-City on top 5-2 and chasing him from the contest.
 
While on the power play again, Feser capped off the hat trick at the 9:36 mark of the third period, giving the Americans all the offense they would need.  Tri-City finished the night 3-for-7 on the man-advantage, while Spokane finished 1-for-5 on the power play.  The Americans outshot the Chiefs 34 to 28 in the contest, including a 15 to 8 advantage in the first period alone.
 
Owsley, whose 2.48 goals against average ranks 5th in the League among goaltenders with 4+ starts, finished with 26 saves on 28 shots in collecting his third win of the year.  Meanwhile, Reid and Chase Martin, who played the final 23 minutes, combined for 28 saves on 34 shots in the loss.

If you like the daily news of the Raw Feed, SUBSCRIBE TODAY to the nation's only alternative professional sports magazine, SZ, with original features and great action photography in baseball, hockey, basketball, and football. Just $11.99 per year for an e-zine like you’ve never seen!