
Americans Claim 4-3 OT Victory in Chiefs' Home Finale
May 5, 2021 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Spokane Chiefs News Release
Spokane, Wash. - The Spokane Chiefs came up short in overtime on Tuesday night as they fell 4-3 to the Tri-City Americans in the rivals' final head-to-head matchup of the season. The game was the final time that Spokane overage players Eli Zummack, Matt Leduc, and Bobby Russell will take the ice at Spokane Arena as the Chiefs will finish the 2020-21 season on the road this weekend.
Despite starting in a 1-0 hole following a score from Tri-City's Tyson Greenway at 5:46, the Chiefs closed out the period with a 2-1 lead following a power play goal from Adam Beckman -- his 14th over the last 12 games -- and later defenseman Graham Sward's first marker of the year at 12:18.
A trio of Tri-City power play opportunities in the second period yielded just one goal but with Chiefs failing to find the net in the period, they headed into the second intermission knotted at 2-2.
Spokane reclaimed the lead at 3-2 when Luke Toporowski tipped home a Reed Jacobson shot on net for Toporowski's first goal of the season at 9:41. The Americans pulled even with the Chiefs at 12:47 with a score from team leading scorer Samuel Huo, his eighth of the season.
Play headed to an overtime period where Huo took advantage of a long rebound off Tri-City goaltender Talyn Boyko creating an Americans to rush the other way, scoring the game-winner just 23 seconds into overtime.
Sixteen-year-old Manny Panghli handled goaltending duties for the Chiefs, stopping 25-of-29 shots. Boyko ended the night 24-of-27 for the Americans. The Chiefs went 1-for-3 on the power play while Tri-City went 1-for-4.
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The Chiefs hit the road Friday, May 7 to take on the Everett Silvertips for the final time this season in the opening game of a season-ending three-game road trip. Puck drop for Friday's contest is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Chiefs fans can watch that game live WHL Live or listen over the radio waves on Key 101.1 FM.
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- Americans Claim 4-3 OT Victory in Chiefs' Home Finale - Spokane Chiefs
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