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WHL Spokane Chiefs

Armstrong Nets First WHL Goal, Chiefs Fall 5-4 to Royals in OT

October 20, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Spokane Chiefs News Release


Victoria, B.C. - Despite a hot, three-goal first period, the Spokane Chiefs fell to the Victoria Royals 5-4 in overtime Friday night in the first of two back-to-back contests on the island.

the Chiefs kicked things off at 3:50 in the opening frame as newly-acquired defenseman Layton Feist netted his first goal in a Chiefs sweater (third of the season) with help from Will McIsaac and Chase Bertholet.

2006-born forward Cam Parr followed that up with his first of the year after he picked up a rebound off a Ben Bonni shot right in front of the net to pad the lead to 2-0 at 5:16.

But Spokane didn't stop there. Less than a minute later, McIsaac broke up a Victoria pass and Berkly Catton picked up the puck down the middle of the ice. Just past the center ice, he spun and pushed the puck to a speeding Conner Roulette who fired a rocket to the twine to make it a 3-0 game at 6:12.

Victoria got on board with a power play goal from Robin Sapousek just over halfway through the first period, but the Chiefs carried a 3-1 lead into the first break.

Action shifted to the crease in the middle frame, as Cooper Michaluk stopped all 12 Victoria shots on net to keep Spokane at a two-goal advantage into the third period.

Just under two minutes into the third, defenseman Nathan Mayes got the puck to Parr who carried it with speed up the left wing. He crossed it over to rookie Coco Armstrong who poked it past Jayden Kraus to score his first Western Hockey League career goal and put the Chiefs up 4-1.

It would prove to be Spokane's last goal of the game, though, as the Royals went on to score three unanswered goals (Justin Kipkie - shorthanded at 11:24, Ben Riche - power play goal at 15:19, and Dawson Pasternak at 18:24) to tie things up and force overtime.

Nate Misskey ended up with the game-winner at 3:09 in the extra frame to seal the Royals' 5-4 victory.

The Chiefs struggled on the power play, failing to capitalize on all five of their man advantages. They went 2-for-9 on the penalty kill and lost the shots battle, 36-29.

Michaluk made several incredible saves, totaling 31 by the end of the game and 24 through the first two periods alone.

In the end, Spokane came away from the overtime loss with a point to bring their season total to nine (4-3-1-0).

The Chiefs will face the Royals again Saturday evening in Victoria before heading to Vancouver to take on the Giants Sunday.

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The Chiefs will be back in action at the Spokane Arena on Saturday, October 27 to face off against the Kelowna Rockets at 7:05 PM, with Boomer's Birthday Bash presented by Centennial Hotel. Ticket packages, Chiefs gear, theme night swag, and the latest news are all available at spokanechiefs.com. The Spokane Chiefs are a member of the U.S. Division of the Western Hockey League, the world's finest development league for junior hockey players. Since 1985 the Chiefs have been a pillar in the Spokane community, offering family-friendly entertainment and a winning tradition, which includes: two Memorial Cup Championships.

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Western Hockey League Stories from October 20, 2023


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