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WHL Spokane Chiefs

Chiefs Battle Back But Fall 4-3 to Americans Saturday Night

November 4, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Spokane Chiefs News Release


Kennewick, Wash. - The Spokane Chiefs battled back from a 2-0 deficit, but ultimately lost to the Tri-City Americans on the road Saturday night 4-3.

The Americans controlled the first period, with a pair of goals at 7:17 (Whynott) and 11:50 (McMillan) to carry a 2-0 lead into the first intermission.

The Chiefs got on board at the 6:04 mark in the second period after rookie forward Lukas Kral tipped a shot from Colorado Avalanche prospect Saige Weinstein into the net for his fourth goal of the season. Chase Bertholet also earned an assist on the play.

The momentum was short-lived, though, as Jordan Gavin scored his sixth of the year a little over a minute later to give Tri-City a 3-1 lead. Cruz Pavao piled on another at 9:18 - his first WHL goal in his first WHL game - to put the Americans on top 4-1.

With 58 seconds left in the frame, Spokane closed the gap to 4-2 after rookie Owen Martin picked up the loose puck after a play was broken apart in front of the net and chipped it in for his second goal of the season. Fellow rookie Coco Armstrong and Brayden Crampton picked up assists on the play.

Spokane had a hot start to the final frame, as overage forward Conner Roulette picked up the puck behind the net and flipped it out from below the goal line, where it ricocheted off an American skater and into the net to put the Chiefs within one (assists for Will McIsaac and Ty Cheveldayoff). The Americans only fired six shots on goal in the third period, all of which were turned aside by Cooper Michaluk.

That's as close as it'd get, though, as Tri-City netminder Lukas Matecha shut out the rest of the frame to secure the 4-3 victory.

Spokane struggled on the man advantage, going 0-for-3 on the power play, but 3-for-4 on the penalty kill. They were outshot by the Americans 33-32, with Michaluk posting 29 saves on the night.

Up next, the Chiefs will return home to take on the Prince Albert Raiders Friday night at 7:05 p.m.

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