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WHL Spokane Chiefs

Chiefs Bounce Back with Late Winner, Fight off Kamloops 3-2

October 11, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Spokane Chiefs News Release


Spokane, Wash. - The Chiefs played host to the Blazers for the first time this season, following a Spokane overtime victory over Kamloops back on September 22nd for the season opener. Both teams entered the game on the back of three game losing streaks looking to break the skid.

Kamloops came out of the gate hot, scoring a goal at just 40 seconds into the period. Shea Van Olm found the net for his third of the season with assists from Bryce Minten and Emmitt Finnie.

The Chiefs would answer back in a penalty filled second period. Lukáš Král was first to the find net on the power play with a slick shot from the left wing. It was his third game in a row registering a point, and second game running with a goal. Weinstein and Paupanekis chipped in with assists on the play.

It was defenseman Brayden Crampton who continued his scorching start to the season later in the period, after playing a little give-and-go with Conner Roulette.

Chiefs score again! A nice little game of give-and-go between Crampton and Roulette finds the D man bearing down on the goal and he slots it home! Another power play goal for the Chiefs and all of a sudden its 2-1 Spokane!#GoChiefsGopic.twitter.com/JLHWwi5tNk

For Crampton it was his second goal of the season to go along with his seven assists. Roulette climbed up to four assists on the year with the feed. After a late scoring adjustment, goaltender Cooper Michaluk was awarded an assist as well!

Kamloops recreated their efforts from the first with a goal just seconds into the third period, quickly making it 2-2 and setting up for a barn-burner closing stretch.

The Chiefs would go shorthanded for a full five minutes after a Cheveldayoff penalty, but survived the scare unscathed.

With the clock counting down it was Spokane's star man Berkly Catton who pulled out the clutch game winner. At just 2:23 remaining, Catton received a pass from Crampton and his one timer trickled through goaltender Ernst to find the net. Chase Bertholet also tallied an assist on the play, his third of the season.

The Chiefs cleared the bench to celebrate the first home win of the season, ending the three game losing streak. In addition to his assist, Michaluk was outstanding in net, stopping 28 of 30 shots and keeping Kamloops from scoring on the power play. It was his second win of the season, and second against Kamloops. All three goals scored by the Chiefs were on the man advantage, going 3/8 on the night. Spokane won 41 of 64 faceoffs and registered 37 shots on goal including 19 in the second period alone. The Chiefs will attempt to ride the momentum into Saturday's contest against the Brandon Wheat Kings.

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The Chiefs will be back in action at the Spokane Arena on Saturday, October 14 to face off against the Brandon Wheat Kings at 6:05 PM, with One Tree Hard Cider Fall Fest at 3PM in the Integra Rooms. 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 11, 2023


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