PECHURSKIY BACKSTOPS AMS TO WIN OVER ‘TIPS – Alexander Pechurskiy turned aside all 28 shots he faced to post a shutout in his first career WHL start as the Tri-City Americans edged the visiting Everett Silvertips 1-0 in Western Hockey League action on Tuesday, December 30th.
Johnny Lazo – with his 22nd goal of the season – scored the lone marker for the Americans (28-9-0-0), who stretch their winning streak to six games and remain tied for first place overall in the WHL standings.
Kent Simpson turned in a valiant 39-save performance in a losing cause for the Silvertips (19-15-2-1), who lose their second straight decision to the Americans in their home-and-home series.
Ryan Johansen notched two goals and added an assist while Brad Ross picked up a goal and three assists to lead the Portland Winterhawks to a 4-3 win over the visiting Spokane Chiefs on Tuesday.
Oliver Gabriel notched his first goal of the season and added an assist for the Winterhawks (24-15-0-1), who sweep their home-and-home series versus the Chiefs and move four points up on the Chiefs for second place in the U.S. Division. Ian Curtis made 30 saves in the win.
Kyle Beach scored twice and Blake Gal also scored for the Chiefs (21-12-3-0), who have dropped four straight decisions but remain in fourth place in the Western Conference.
Chris Collins tallied a goal and two assists while Brandon Manning chipped in three helpers to lead the Chilliwack Bruins to a 6-1 win over the visiting Prince George Cougars on Tuesday.
Kevin Sundher, Jesse Craig and Jamie Crooks each tallied a goal and an assist while Colton Grant and Ryan Howse also counted for the Bruins (17-17-1-5), who have won two straight and four of their last five games. Lucas Gore made 23 saves in the loss.
Spencer Asuchak scored the only goal for the Cougars (7-28-1-1), who have dropped two straight decisions and remain in 10th place in the Western Conference. Alex Wright and Hudson Stremmel combined for 24 saves in the loss.
Max Reinhart and Dustin Sylvester scored in a shootout to lift the Kootenay Ice to a 5-4 win over the visiting Red Deer Rebels on Tuesday.
Sylvester tallied a goal and two assists while Steele Boomer, Kevin King and Jagger Dirk – with his first WHL goal – also scored in regulation for the Ice (21-15-1-2), who stretch their winning streak to five games and take over fifth place in the Eastern Conference. Todd Mathews made 25 saves in regulation and wasn’t beaten in the shootout to take the win.
Landon Ferraro scored twice while Andrej Kudrna – with a goal and an assist – and John Persson also scored for the Rebels (19-15-0-3), who see a two-game win streak come to an end. Darcy Kuemper stopped 12 of 13 shots he faced in 38 minutes of action but was beaten twice in the shootout to take the loss after replacing starter Kraymer Barnstable, who stopped 11 of 14 shots in the first 26 minutes of the game.
Carter Bancks scored the deciding goal in a shootout to lead the visiting Lethbridge Hurricanes to a 2-1 win over the Edmonton Oil Kings on Tuesday.
Brent Henke scored the lone goal in regulation for the Hurricanes (11-21-3-1), who snap a four-game losing skid. Brandon Anderson made 29 saves through three periods and overtime, and wasn’t beaten in the shootout to record the win.
Mark Pysyk – with his seventh of the season – scored the only goal for the Oil Kings (10-20-4-5), who suffer their second straight defeat. Torrie Jung made 26 saves in regulation and overtime, but was beaten once in the defeat.
Tyler Fiddler scored a shorthanded goal and chipped in an assist to lead the Calgary Hitmen to a 4-3 win over the visiting Regina Pats on Tuesday.
Ian Schultz – with a goal and an assist – Chase Schaber and Kyle Aschim also scored for the Hitmen (27-10-1-1), who converted one of three power play chances in the contest. Michael Snider made 22 saves to claim his 12th win of the season.
Matt Strueby scored twice and Craig Orfino also scored for the Pats (16-22-3-0), who suffer their eighth consecutive loss and fall six points out of playoff contention. Dawson Guhle made 21 saves in the defeat.
Thomas Frazee scored twice and Quinton Howden notched a goal and three assists to lead the Moose Jaw Warriors to a 6-3 win over the visiting Prince Albert Raiders on Tuesday.
Antonin Honejsek, Kendall McFaull and Brendan Rowinski – with his 20th of the season – also counted for the Warriors (18-15-1-2), who snap their three-game losing skid. Jeff Bosch made 35 saves to record his 12th win of the season.
Colin Reddin, Jordan Rowley and Brandon Herrod scored for the Raiders (20-17-1-2), who drop their second straight decision. Garrett Zemlak made 24 saves in the defeat.
