Americans Beat Chiefs 3-2 in Game 7 to Advance
WHL scoring champion Brendan Shinnimin scored the game winning goal with 4:18 left in regulation as the Tri-City Americans defeated the Spokane Chiefs 3-2 Wednesday night in game seven of the teams' WHL Western Conference semifinals series. The Americans will now advance to face the Portland Winterhawks in the WHL Western Conference finals.
Shinnimin's goal, his sixth of the playoffs, came just 1:04 after Malte Stromwall tied the game at 2-2 with his third goal of the post-season.
The Chiefs led for most of the third peiod after Mitch Holmberg scored 5:47 into the period when he beat Americans goalie Ty Rimmer with a tip in from the crease. It was Holmberg's eleventh goal of the playoffs.
Spokane got on the board first with just 1:12 left in the first period on a power play goal by Blake Gal. Brian Williams of Tri-City tied it at the 5:03 mark of the second period with his second goal of the playoffs.
The Chiefs Eric Williams was outstanding in goal, making 45 saves on 48 shots faced. The Americans Ty Rimmer made 17 saves on the 19 shots he faced, and also stopped the Chiefs Mike Aviani on a penalty shot at the 16:59 mark of the 1st period. The Americans finished 0-3 on the power play while the Chiefs were 1-1.
The Americans will host games one and two of the Western Conference finals Friday and Saturday at the Toyota Center in Kennewick. Game time each night is 7:05 PM
Tri-City Americans vs Portland Winterhawks
#1 - Portland @ Tri-City; Friday, April 20 (7:05pm)
#2 - Portland @ Tri-City; Saturday, April 21 (7:05pm)
#3 - Tri-City @ Portland; Wednesday, April 25 (7:00pm) RG
#4 - Tri-City @ Portland; Thursday, April 26 (7:00pm) RG
#5 - Portland @ Tri-City; Saturday, April 28 (7:05pm)**
#6 - Tri-City @ Portland; Monday, April 30 (7:00pm) RG **
#7 - Portland @ Tri-City; Tuesday, May 1 (7:05pm)**
** - if necessary RG - Rose Garden