KENNEWICK, WA - The Tri-City Americans’ offense is starting to resemble the Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Behind three first period goals, the visiting Spokane Chiefs (15-8-2-0, 32 pts) took out the Tri-City Americans (19-7-0-0, 38 pts) 4-1 in front of 5,265 fans at Toyota Center.  The Chiefs, who have won seven of their last 10 games, evened the 12-game regular season series with Tri-City at 2 apiece while picking up their first win in Kennewick this season.  The Americans, however, dropped their second home game of the year and have now lost four of their last eight games.  In those four losses, Tri-City has scored just one goal in all four of the contests.  Meanwhile, in their four wins, the Americans are averaging more than 5 goals per game.

And, in front of the largest home crowd of the season, Mr. Hyde reared his ugly head again.

Just 3:09 into the contest and on the power play, Brett Plouffe fell down, opening up the ice for Tyler Johnson.  After Blake Gal collected the loose puck, Johnson went in all alone on Drew Owsley, burying the short hander and giving the Chiefs an early 1-0 lead.

Seven minutes later, the lead grew to two, this time while Spokane was on the power play.  While parked in front of Owsley, big Jared Cowen was able to redirect a Jared Spurgeon shot into the net, giving him his fourth goal of the season.  Still not done, the Chiefs got another goal five minutes later, when Steve Kuhn sent a rink wide pass to Brenden Kichton, who beat Owsley inside the far post.  And, just like that, the Chiefs carried a 3-0 lead into the second period.

However, the second period belonged to Spokane.  The Chiefs continued to pound away at Owsley, outchancing the Americans 23 to 10 in the period.  Despite the onslaught, including a handful of odd-man rushes, Owsley stood tall, turning away shot after shot.  But, with less than seven minutes remaining in the period, Mitch Wahl connected on a feed from Gal, making it a 4-0 game.

Not only did the Chiefs dominate the shots on goal in the period, the 10 Tri-City shots they did allow were limited to the perimeter, as starter James Reid was able to control his rebounds.

Tri-City tried to get the ship turned around in the third period.  After Cowen was called for cross checking at the 7:17 mark and, in a last-ditch effort to create some energy, head coach Jim Hiller pulled Owsley for the extra attacker.  The move gave the Americans a 6-on-3 opportunity for 1:22 but the Spokane defense was up to the task.

Finally, while on the power play with 6:03 remaining in regulation, Brendan Shinnimin notched his team-leading 17th goal of the season, ending Reid’s shutout bid.  Following the goal, the Americans’ intensity quickly picked up and just missed out on several chances as they put Reid to the test.  However, it would be as close as Tri-City would get.

Reid, who has not allowed more than one goal in eight of his last 10 starts, tied his season-high mark for saves in a game at 41.  Meanwhile, Owsley, who shined in net despite the goals allowed, collected a career-high 43 saves in the loss.  Both teams struggled to connect on the man-advantage, as Spokane went 1-for-7 on the power play, while Tri-City was 1-for-9.

The Americans will need to have short memories, as they must now focus on another division rival, the Everett Silvertips, who enter the Toyota Center tomorrow, Saturday, November 28.  Game time is 7:05 p.m.  It is the second meeting of the season between the two clubs, who faced off last Friday in Kennewick.  Behind two goals from Johnny Lazo and 25 saves from Owsley, Tri-City shutout the ‘Tips 6-0 in their first match-up.  Everett comes into the contest looking for their first win at Toyota Center since Mar. 4, 2008, a span of six straight games.  Tickets are on sale at all Ticketmaster outlets, including the Toyota Center box office, all Fred Meyer outlets, or online at ticketmaster.com.  The game will also be broadcast live on NewsTalk 870 AM, starting with the Sterling Savings Bank Warm-up Show at 6:45 p.m.

Applebee’s 3 Stars:

1, Tyler Johnson, Spokane

2, Blake Gal, Spokane

3, Drew Owsley, Tri-City

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