The Tri-City Americans had been waiting two decades for this moment.
Tri-City ended 19 years of futility in a big way Saturday night, capturing three banners at once by defeating the Spokane Chiefs 2-1.
“This is pretty special,” Tri-City goaltender Chet Pickard told the Tri-City Herald. “We were ranked 19th or 20th (in the WHL) by Hockey News at the start of the season and to come this far is unbelievable. It has been such a tough season. When you hear the final buzzer and you’ve won, you are on top of the world. There have been great teams and players in the past and when you can say you won (a banner) it’s an awesome feeling.”
It’s an especially good feeling when it’s a path that’s never before been tread. Since moving to Kennewick in 1988 Tri-City had never won a banner. However, in one fell swoop the Americans captured the U.S. Division, Western Conference and WHL regular season banners to mark a new high point in franchise history.
“I got home from our game last night and I was watching the score,” said Stu Barnes, a former American and current Tri-City co-owner who currently plays for the NHL’s Dallas Stars. “I was getting pretty nervous. What they accomplished is an amazing thing and a reflection on the hard work they have put in. Winning the (Scott Munro trophy for the league’s best record) is a special thing. I wish I could have been there to see it.”
Tri-City and Spokane were locked in a head-to-head battle atop the league standings the entire season, and it all came down to Saturday’s game in Kennewick, winner takes all.
The Americans jumped out to a 2-0 lead, thanks to a first-period goal by Blair Macaulay and a second-period marker by T.J. Fast.
Spokane cut the lead to one when Judd Blackwater found the net early in the third period. The Chiefs piled on the pressure the rest of the way, but Tri-City held on to send a sellout crowd of 5,969 at the Toyota Center into a celebration never before seen for the Americans.
In the Eastern Conference Calgary held on to win the conference banner. Vancouver (B.C. Division), Calgary (Central Division) and Regina (East Division) won the other division titles.
Around the WHL: Rumors are swirling that Vancouver assistant coach/assistant general manager Craig Bonner will be named the new general manager of the Kamloops Blazers during the offseason. Kamloops has been without a general manager since Dean Clark was fired in November. Bonner is a former Blazers defenseman and assistant coach. … Prince George center Greg Gardner broke the franchise record for games played in a Cougar uniform. Gardner finished his career with 338 games, two more than previous record holder Chris Falloon. … Prince Albert head coach and general manager Bruno Campese signed a contract extension through the 2009-10 season. Campese took over the coaching reins at the beginning of the season, then added the general manager duties in January after Donn Clark was fired. … Ruth (Grams) Pollock and Dr. Ian Hill are the 2007-08 recipients of the WHL Distinguished Service Award. Pollock has been a Prince Albert billet since 1998. Hill has worked with the Regina Pats for 40 years. … Portland set a new WHL low by finishing the season with 132 goals. The previous low-water mark was 135 by Swift Current in 2004-05.
League leaders (final): Points—Mark Santorelli (Chilliwack) 101; goals—Colton Yellow Horn (Tri-City) 48; assists—Santorelli 74; penalty minutes—Benn Olson (Seattle) 266; wins—Chet Pickard (Tri-City) 46; goals against average—Tyson Sexsmith (Vancouver) 1.89; save percentage—Dustin Tokarski (Spokane) .922.
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