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Spokane Chiefs

SPOKANE RALLIES TO OPEN SECOND HALF WITH VICTORY

December 29, 2017 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Spokane Chiefs News Release


FISCHER FINISHES COMEBACK EFFORT AS CHIEFS WIN 5-4 IN OT

SPOKANE, Wash. - The Spokane Chiefs got the second half of their WHL season started on the right foot Wednesday night as they defeated the Seattle Thunderbirds 5-4 in overtime, avenging a loss in the season's first half finale. Calgary Flames prospect Zach Fischer scored two goals, including the game-winner.

The first period had nearly expired before Seattle got the scoring started when Nolan Volcan cleaned up a rebound off of teammate Austin Strand shot and put it past Chiefs goaltender Donovan Buskey. The power play goal gave the T-Birds a 1-0 lead headed into the first intermission.

The Chiefs answered when Jaret Anderson-Dolan circled the offensive zone, firing a pass from the point to find Fischer all alone for a deflection from the right side for his first of the night.

Seattle reclaimed the lead eight minutes later when Matthew Wedman struck for his fifth goal of the season before Reece Harsch added on another, the second power play goal of the night for the Thunderbirds, at 17:20 to extend the lead to 3-1 as the period wound down.

Spokane's offense came to life in the third period, pulling within one at 6:28 when Hudson Elynuik found the net on a one-timer from just below the right circle for a power play goal. Anderson-Dolan picked up his 17th goal of the season at 11:02 when he cashed in on a nearly identical play from the Fischer tip-in, this time with his own shot finding the twine behind Thunderbirds netminder Matt Berlin to tie it up.

Dillon Hamaliuk reclaimed the lead for Seattle, making it 4-3 with his sixth goal of the season at 14:18.

The Chiefs would not quit as Hudson Elynuik found Riley Woods with a pass from behind the Seattle net. Woods hesitated just enough before snapping his 14th of the year into the top-right corner to make it 4-4 at the end of regulation.

Spokane dominated the third period and overtime, outshooting Seattle 19-4 over the span, capped off by Fischer's game-winner at 3:46 of the extra frame. After forcing a turnover near the Chiefs' blue line, the winger took the puck the length of the ice alongside linemate Elynuik before snapping his 16th of the year over Berlin's right shoulder.

Spokane outshot Seattle 42-29 on the night, went 1-for-6 on the power play and 1-for-3 on the penalty kill.

The Chiefs return to action in the Arena Saturday night when the host the visiting Tri-City Americans . It will Coeur d'Alene Casino Buck Night, meaning Chiefs fans can purchase hot dogs and Coca-Cola products for just $1 at select concession stands throughout the concourse!

Tickets for Saturday night and all Chiefs home games are available in-person at the Chiefs' Ticket Office, over the phone at 509-535-PUCK and online at spokanechiefs.com.

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Western Hockey League Stories from December 29, 2017


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