Sports stats



WHL 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.

-

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.

Check out the Spokane Chiefs Statistics



Western Hockey League Stories from October 3, 2021


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central