Tri-City takes all important 3rd game

The Tri-City Americans have regained home-ice advantage in their Western Conference semi-final series with the Kelowna Rockets.

The Americans got a 31 save performance from goaltender Drew Owsley in a 2-0 victory over the Rockets.

The win gives the Americans a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series with game four Wednesday night at Prospera Place.

Tri-City played a perfect road game while the Rockets put up little resistance in likely their poorest effort of the playoffs.

"We didn't skate and it was one of those nights when it seemed like we were content to be average. It's not okay this time of the year," says Rockets head coach Ryan Huska.

"We weren't sharp tonight. That was a good hockey team that was playing a good road game and you have to sort of push the envelope by being a little bit more aggressive. The game isn't supposed to be easy this time of the year."

Huska says there were not enough players who were willing to play that kind of game.

Sergei Drozd opened the scoring 15 minutes into the first period when he buried a rebound behind Rockets net minder Mark Guggenberger.

Johnny Lazo made it 2-0 at 15:51 of the second when he tapped home a perfect cross crease pass from Brendan Shinnimin into an open net.

Despite being out shot 31-24 on the night, Owsley was able to shut the door the rest of the way.

The best chance for the Rockets came midway through the second when Tyson Barrie's one-timer from 20 feet out went off a Tri-City defenders stick and slammed harmlessly into the end glass.

Barrie spent the last half of the third period on a forward line with Brandon McMillan and Lucas Bloodoff, and, while he created some scoring opportunities, the Rockets were unable to get on the board.

"It was to try and get something going," added Huska. "We didn't seem to generate much at all tonight and Tyson is usually a guy who creates something when he is up the ice."

The Rockets also had three power-play opportunities in the final period but again, were not able to beat Owsley.

Rockets captain Lucas Bloodoff says the team was flat for the entire 60 minutes and expects a better effort Wednesday.

He says the players are still upbeat, despite Tuesday's effort.

"You win some games and you lose games. You can't get caught up with the highs and lows in a playoff series," says Bloodoff.

"We're expecting a long series, no different from the last round. We just have to brush it off and get ready for tomorrow."

Guggenberger says the team has to put the game behind them.

"It's just short term memory," says Guggenberger.

"We definitely have to get it out of our system and focus on another 60 minutes tomorrow night."

Game four goes Wednesday night at 7 p.m. at Prospera Place.

Game five is set for Friday and Tri-City with game six, if necessary, back at Prospera Place Sunday afternoon at 5 p.m.