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Spokane Chiefs

Chiefs Control Play But Not the Score, Fall to Tri-City 5-3 in Home Opener

October 3, 2021 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Spokane Chiefs News Release


Spokane, Wash. - The Spokane Chiefs opened the 2021-22 regular season with a heartbreaking loss on Saturday night at Spokane Arena, losing to the rival Tri-City Americans 5-3. The Chiefs outshot the Americans 45-20, including 37-8 through the first two periods.

Newly-announced team captain Jack Finley, freshly returned from the Tampa Bay Lightning's NHL training camp, scored the Chiefs' first goal of the season just 3:08 into regulation as the puck slowly rolled over the line after a partial stop by Tri-City netminder Tomas Suchanek.

Tri-City bounced back with a goal at 10:33 of the first from defenseman Bryson Andregg, who found a lane through traffic to make it 1-1.

Shortly after, Spokane answered to retake the lead a 2-1 as third-year rearguard Raegan Wiles scored his first of the season on a shot that bounced off a Tri-City defender.

The teams split the middle frame despite Spokane outshooting Tri-City 19-5, with each scoring a power play goal to make it 3-2 Chiefs headed into the decisive third.

An unusual double major penalty early in the third awarded Tri-City a five-minute 5-on-3 power play, during which they capitalized with the game-tying goal from Tyson Greenway at 5:28.

The Americans secured the lead for the first time with under five minutes remaining in regulation as Parker Bell snuck behind the Chiefs' defense for a breakaway score, his second of the year. Rhett Melnyk added an empty-netter late to seal the win for Tri-City.

Suchanek was awarded first star honors after 42 saves. Spokane's Campbell Arnold went 16-for-20. The Chiefs finished 2-for-7 on the power play and 1-for-3 on the penalty kill.

Spokane will look to bounce back on Sunday night as they host the Everett Silvertips for a 5 p.m. game at Spokane Arena.

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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' 2021-22 regular season continues on Sunday as they host the Everett Silvertips for Boomer's Birthday at Spokane Arena. Tickets for Sunday and all regular season games are available online at spokanechiefs.com/tickets.

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