WHL Spokane Chiefs

Chiefs Cap Road Trip with Dominant 7-3 Victory over Ams

Published on October 24, 2021 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Spokane Chiefs News Release


Kennewick, Wash. - The Chiefs put a bow on their five-game road trip with a dominant 7-3 victory over the rival Tri-City Americans. Six different Chiefs scored throughout the game, while Luke Toporowski netted two goals and posted three points on the night.

The Americans struck first when Dwayne Jean Jr. scored his first WHL career goal just three minutes into play. Luke Toporowski answered with his first goal of the night at 14:53 with a shot from the left boards through traffic that somehow found the back of the net. Tri-City retook the lead at 16:28 with a goal from veteran center Jake Sloan, sending the Chiefs into the first break down 2-1.

Spokane blew the game wide open in the second period, scoring five unanswered goals. Mac Gross led the charge when he fired a shot into the top left corner of the net at 6:58 (assists - Erik Atchison, Blake Swetlikoff). Just 21 seconds later, Grady Lane netted his second goal of the year to give the Chiefs their first lead of the game, 3-2.

Momentum carried on for Spokane throughout the second half of the period, as veteran forward Cordel Larson found the back of the net for the first time this season to make it 4-2. The Chiefs continued to widen the gap with goals from Ty Cheveldayoff and rookie forward Michael Cicek. Rookie defenseman Brayden Crampton notched his first WHL point on an assist on Cheveldayoff's goal, while Cicek's goal was his first of his WHL career.

The Ams got just five shots off in the second period, all of which were turned away by Mason Beaupit. The Chiefs headed into the final frame up, 6-2.

The third period was much quieter as both teams were held to less than 10 shots apiece (8 for Spokane and 7 for Tri-City). Toporowski tacked on his second goal of the night at 13:59 to put the Chiefs' seventh and final goal of the night on the board. The assist went to Atchison, his third of the night, marking his second 3-point game in his WHL career. Related Links

Box Score: SPO (7) at TC (3)

Spokane limited the Americans to just one goal in the third period, which didn't come until the final seven seconds of regulation on a power play goal from Deagan McMillan.

The Chiefs outshot the Americans 46-28, including 23-5 in the five-goal second period, and went 1-for-2 on the power play and 4-for-5 on the penalty kill. Beaupit denied 25 of Tri-City's 28 shots on goal.

Up next, the Chiefs will return home to host the Seattle Thunderbirds on Friday night at 7:05 p.m.

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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 in 1991 & 2008, two WHL Championships in 1991 & 2008 and four Western Conference Championships in 1991, 1996, 2000 & 2008. Over 60 alumni have gone on to play in the National Hockey League.

The Chiefs' next home game is Friday, October 29 versus Seattle. It's Garage Sale Night as the team is cleaning out the storage rooms to make room for new promotional items. Bid on old signage, promotional giveaways, souvenirs and more! Tickets for October 29 and all regular season games are available online at spokanechiefs.com/tickets.

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Western Hockey League Stories from October 24, 2021


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