Preview: Americans Welcome Hitmen for First Time Since 2018

GAME DAY PREVIEW

Americans vs Hitmen

Friday, November 17 | Kennewick, WA | Toyota Center

Start Time: 7:05 p.m. PDT

[TICKETS]

The Tri-City Americans (7-11-0-0) will look to get back in the win column tonight as they face off against the Calgary Hitmen (10-5-1-1) at the Toyota Center. It will be the first time the Americans have played Calgary since November 2019 and the first time the Hitmen have visited Kennewick since November 2018.

The Americans have won their last four meetings against the Hitmen. Their last three games were one-goal games and the last two were won in a shootout. Marc Lajoie and Tyson Greenway are the only players on Tri-City’s roster that were in the lineup the last time they played Calgary.

Both teams come into tonight’s game looking to get back into the win column. Calgary last played on Tuesday, falling 4-1 to the Portland Winterhawks and ending a seven-game win streak. The Americans have lost their last three.

Tri-City’s most recent game was Saturday in Spokane. Lukas Dragicevic opened scoring on the power play to give Tri-City an early lead, but the tired Americans team struggled throughout the game and fell to the Chiefs 7-3. Spokane scored seven straight, putting the Americans behind 7-1 in the third period. Tri-City found some momentum late in the game as Ethan Ernst and Andrew Fan each scored to narrow the deficit. Tomas Suchanek started in net but was relieved for the third period after Spokane’s fifth goal. Nick Avakyan finished the game, turning aside 11 of 13 shots faced.

With a goal and an assist, Dragicevic extends his point streak to 12 games with four goals and 15 assists over that period. The 17-year-old defenseman leads the Americans with 25 points over 18 games. He also has more points than any other WHL defenseman.

Jordan Gavin, who was away at the World U-17 Hockey Challenge, will return to the lineup. Jake Sloan will also rejoin the Americans after missing the last two games.

Record: Tri-City 7-11-0-0 | Calgary 10-5-1-1

Special Teams

Power Play: Tri-City 22/81 (27.2%) | Calgary 14/78 (17.9%)
Penalty Kill: Tri-City 26/85 (69.4%) | Calgary 8/79 (89.9%)

How to Tune In:
Webcast: WHL Live – Sign Up & Watch Here
Radio: NewsTalk 870 KFLD / 98.7 FM – Listen Online
Follow us on social media: Twitter » Facebook » Instagram

Around the Concourse:

Gesa Autograph Booth: Lukas Dragicevic signing after the game (section J)

Jersey Auction: Alex Serraglio – blue (section D)