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Spokane Chiefs

Last Second Score Sends Chiefs into Celebration

February 14, 2016 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Spokane Chiefs News Release


Spokane Chiefs Right Wing Keanu Yamamoto
Spokane Chiefs Right Wing Keanu Yamamoto
(Spokane Chiefs)

SPOKANE, Wash. - It took overtime for the third consecutive game, but the Spokane Chiefs prevailed in front of 8,011 fans at Spokane Arena on Saturday night, beating the Kootenay Ice, 4-3. Hudson Elynuik extended his league-leading point streak to nine games with a goal and two assists, including one on Keanu Yamamoto's game-winner with just three seconds left in the extra period.

Kootenay's Tanner Lishchynsky, who scored the game-tying goal on Friday night in with three seconds left in regulation, opened the scoring on Saturday, picking the top-left corner on the power play for his fourth goal of the season. The goal, at the 9:40 mark of the second period, was assisted by Vince Loschiavo and Zak Zborosky.

Spokane answered with a goal of their own barely a minute later as Curtis Miske fired a shot from the left circle that squeaked through Ice goaltender Wyatt Hoflin to tie the game. Rookies Taylor Ross and Dalton Hamaliuk teamed up for the assists.

Elynuik took advantage of a delayed Kootenay penalty at the 14:21 mark of the second period, snapping one in from the right side for his 14th of the season. Loschiavo tied the game at 2-2 with only seven seconds remaining in the second period, taking a perfect pass from Zborosky to slam the puck into the vacant net.

Yamamoto scored his first goal of the night - and 17th of the season - midway through the third period to give the Chiefs a 3-2 lead. Dominic Zwerger dropped the puck to Elynuik, who slowed before flipping a cross-ice pass to Yamamoto on the right wing. From there, the Spokane native wristed a shot to the far post and in.

Kootenay tied the game once again at the 12:23 mark of the third as defenseman Cale Fleury took advantage of a Spokane defensive breakdown to beat goaltender Lasse Petersen low and left.

After a desperation save from Hoflin seemed to signal a second-straight trip to a shootout between the two teams, the Chiefs earned one more rush in the 3-on-3 overtime period.

Yamamoto passed the puck to Elynuik on the right side, who swept left before backhanding a pass blindly behind him to an open Yamamoto in the right circle. Yamamoto faked a shot before carrying it across the crease and backhanding it in to send the Spokane Arena crowd into a frenzy.

The Chiefs finished the game 0-for-3 on the power play and 2-for-3 on the penalty kill. Petersen made 20 saves on 23 shots faced while Hoflin turned aside 35 of 39.

Spokane remains home for their third game in three nights tomorrow to face the division-leading Everett Silvertips on Dairy For Life Night at Spokane Arena. The game is scheduled for an early 5:05 p.m. start.

Tickets for Sunday night and all Chiefs home games are available via TicketsWest online at www.spokanechiefs.com and via the Chiefs' Ticket Office in person or over the phone at 509-535-PUCK.

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Spokane Chiefs Right Wing Keanu Yamamoto
Spokane Chiefs Right Wing Keanu Yamamoto
   

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Western Hockey League Stories from February 14, 2016


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