KENNEWICK, WA - To say the month of November as been humbling to the Tri-City Americans would be an understatement.  After going 11-2 through the month of October, the Americans will be looking forward to a fresh start in December.
 
D. Jay McGrath and Shane Harper each tallied twice to lead the visiting Everett Silvertips (16-8-1-0, 33 pts) to a 6-1 beating of the Tri-City Americans (19-8-0-0, 38 pts) in front of 3,956 fans at Toyota Center.  With the win, Everett evened the eight-game season series at 1 apiece and snapped a six-game losing skid in Kennewick.  Meanwhile, the Americans dropped their home record to 10-3 and lost back-to-back home games for the first time this season.  The loss marked the third time in their last four games that Tri-City failed to score more than one goal and wrap-up the month of November with a record of 6-5.
 
Appearing in just his 14th WHL game, rookie D. Jay McGrath got the scoring started for Everett.  Near the midway point of the first period, McGrath let a shot go from the left circle that beat Drew Owsley between his pads, collecting his first WHL goal.  Then, six and a half minutes later, McGrath followed that up with his first multi-goal game, connecting on a scramble in front of Owsley.  And, with that, Everett took a 2-0 lead into the first period break.
 
Despite the score, the Americans and ‘Tips still appeared to be in for a close affair.  But, just 49 seconds into the second period, the Americans failed twice to clear the puck from their own zone.  And, as a result, Ryan Murray was able to get a shot off from the point, only to have his rebound knocked in by Shane Harper.
 
Tri-City struggled to get shots off throughout the second period, tallying just one shot on goal by the midway mark of the period.  However, with 3:03 remaining, Sergei Drozd corralled the loose puck behind Everett’s Kent Simpson and wrapped it in at the near post, to cut the Tri-City deficit to 3-1.  For Drozd, it was his fifth goal of the season and second in his last four games.
 
Still within striking distance to start the final period, Kellan Tochkin squashed any momentum Tri-City may have gained from Drozd’s goal.  Only 1:24 into the third period, the Americans were attempting to bring the puck up ice from behind their own net.  But, an errant pass saw the puck jump off the stick of a Tri-City defender then stick right at the far post.  All it took was a tap from Tochkin to put the ‘Tips back up by three and in control of the contest once again.
 
Four and a half minutes later, Harper chased Owsley from the game with his 19th goal of the season.  Then, nine minutes later and on the first shot he faced, Byron Froese beat Brett Martyniuk shelf to cap the scoring in the contest.  Everett scored three times with just seven shots in the third period to seal the victory.  Owsley, who took the loss, stopped 25 of the 30 shots he faced while Martyniuk collected 2 saves on 3 shots.  Meanwhile, Simpson, who has won his last three starts, notched 36 saves in the win.
 
Both teams struggled on the power play, as Everett went 0-for-3 on the man-advantage while Tri-City was 0-for-8.  The Americans finished with a slight edge in shots on goal, outshooting the ‘Tips 37 to 33.
 
After going 3-3 in their six-game home stand, the Americans will now get a week off to prepare for their next two contests, both of which are on the road.  Their first stop takes them north, where they will take on the Kamloops Blazers on Friday, December 4.  Game time is 7:00 p.m. at Interior Savings Centre.  Back on Nov. 3, Tri-City dominated the first of four meetings between the two clubs, taking down the Blazers 8-3 in Kamloops.  The Blazers, who will host Edmonton on Wednesday, have currently lost seven of their last 10 games.  Meanwhile, Tri-City comes in having won their last three games at Interior Savings Centre.  The game will be broadcast live, via WHL WebTV, at the Americans’ home away from home, Kimo’s Sports Café in Richland.  The game will also be aired live on NewsTalk 870 AM, starting with the Sterling Savings Bank Warm-up Show at 6:45 p.m.

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