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Spokane Chiefs

Chiefs Earn 10th Win with Comeback Effort

November 15, 2015 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Spokane Chiefs News Release


SPOKANE, Wash. - The Spokane Chiefs scored three unanswered goals to complete a comeback 4-3 overtime win over the visiting Kelowna Rockets at Spokane Arena on Saturday night. Dominic Zwerger led the Chiefs with two goals scored while team captain Jason Fram tallied the game-winner.

The Rockets struck first as Gordie Ballhorn beat screened Spokane goalie Tyson Verhelst with the shot from the left point late in the first period. Assists were awarded to fellow rookies Cal Foote and Kole Lind.

The Chiefs responded quickly, scoring under a minute later at the 18:35 mark as Adam Helewka earned a breakaway opportunity. Kelowna's Jackson Whistle was able to fight off Helewka's shot but Zwerger was there to punch in the rebound for his seventh goal of the season. Kailer Yamamoto also earned an assist on the play.

The Rockets again took the lead over midway through the second period, at the 14:44 mark, as Nashville Predators prospect Justin Kirkland beat Verhelst off assists from Ballhorn and team-leading scorer Tyson Baillie.

It looked like Kelowna had taken command for good just 2:53 into the third period as Calvin Thurkauf used his long reach to tap in a rebound on the power play. Nick Merkley created the opportunity with a strong shot from inside the right circle which Verhelst kicked away but Thurkauf was there to follow and put the Rockets up 3-1.

At the 9:38 mark of the final frame, Zwerger earned his second of the night with the help of some good fortune after Yamamoto flipped him a backhanded pass on the left wing. The Austrian forward tried to complete the give-and-go sequence but his centering pass deflected off a Kelowna skate, fooling Whistle and giving the Chiefs a spark.

Helewka, a fourth round pick by the San Jose Sharks in this past summer's NHL Entry Draft, earned his second point of the night with under five minutes remaining in regulation, tying the game and 3-3 with a slapshot from the left circle that beat Whistle between his legs.

Both teams traded chances in the three-on-three overtime period before Fram scored his seventh of the season - and first game-winner - at the 2:15 mark, flipping the puck into an open net from point-blank range. Rookie Jaret Anderson-Dolan and Helewka earned assists.

The win gave the Chiefs their 10th win of the season, pushing their overall record to 10-8-2-1. Kelowna dropped to 14-6-0-0 as the loss snapped a five-game winning streak.

Spokane was 0-for-2 on the power play and 3-for-4 on the penalty kill. Verhelst stopped 17 of 20 shots faced while Whistle made 30 saves on 34.

The Chiefs stay home for their next game as they'll face the Swift Current Broncos on Friday, Nov. 20. It will be Inland Northwest Baby Diaper Drive Night presented by Amerigroup as fans are encouraged to bring diapers, baby wipes and formula for donation.

Tickets for Friday night and all Chiefs home games are available via TicketsWest at www.ticketswest.com and over-the-phone at 800-325-SEAT.

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