Recap: Ams edged by T-Birds in third period, fall 4-2

The Americans played the Seattle Thunderbirds on Saturday at the accesso ShoWare Center. Tri-City hung in with the Western Conference leading Thunderbirds for two periods, but two third periods goals pushed Seattle to a 4-2 victory.

6:19 into the game, Nashville Predators prospect Luke Prokop opened scoring as he tapped home a net front feed from Brad Lambert. The Americans were able to tie the game later in the period as Reese Belton deflected a shot from Deagan McMillan on the power play. Seattle led shots 12-9 and the score held tied at 1-1 after 20 minutes.

Dylan Guenther put the T-Birds back in front just 30 seconds into the second period. The Arizona Coyotes prospect scored off a breakaway, beating Ams goaltender Nick Avakyan five-hole. The Ams tied the game once again midway through the period as Chicago Blackhawks propect Jalen Luypen deflected a shot from Belton, scoring short side on Seattle netminder Scott Ratzlaff. Despite Seattle leading shots 19-9, the second period finished tied 2-2.

The Ams were unable to push ahead and fell behind as Jeremy Hanzel added the game-winning goal for Seattle 4:41 into the final period. Jared Davidson scored an empty net goal late in the period to secure Seattle’s 4-2 victory.

Avakyan turned aside 41/44 shots faced for the Ams.

Score: 4-2 SEA
Shots: 45-23 SEA
[Box Score]