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WHL Spokane Chiefs

Chiefs Flex Strong Power Play in 6-3 Win over Seattle Thunderbirds

December 29, 2021 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Spokane Chiefs News Release


Kent, Wash. - The Spokane Chiefs capitalized on three of seven power play opportunities to pull away with a 6-3 victory on the road against the Seattle Thunderbirds Tuesday night. Five different Chiefs put the puck on net throughout the 40 minutes of action.

The Thunderbirds opened the scoring just 1:10 into the game when Jared Davidson netted his eleventh goal of the season, but that was the only goal of the first period.

The Chiefs got things going in the second period when Las Vegas native Erik Atchison chipped in a power play goal off a rebound from Graham Sward only 34 seconds into the frame. Spokane went on to score three more goals before the halfway point of the period, starting with another power play goal from Bear Hughes at 2:08.

Cordel Larson then tacked on a goal of his own at 6:03 with an assist from defenseman Logan Cunningham. Forward Chase Bertholet stayed hot Tuesday, scoring his third goal in the last four games as he fired the puck into the net from the slot after a beautiful pass from rookie Yannick Proske. Bertholet also had three assists, marking his first four-point night of the season.

The Chiefs held the Thunderbirds at bay until 2:33 in the third when Jeremy Hanzel found the net to make it 4-2. Soon after, though, Spokane took advantage of yet another power play, as veteran defenseman Graham Sward swiped the puck away from Henrik Rybinski going down the ice and brought it back into the offensive zone. Hughes found it and got it to Bertholet, who passed it across the ice back to Sward who shot a rocket top-shelf to give the Chiefs a 5-2 lead four minutes into the third period.

Hughes and Proske connected one more time at 10:37 to close the scoring for Spokane and Seattle scored only one more time in the final frame to lock in the 6-3 Chiefs victory.

Mason Beaupit started in net for Spokane and turned aside 26 of 23 shots faced, earning him first star honors. Thomas Milic started for the Thunderbirds, denying 12 of 16 shots before he was replaced by Scott Ratzlaff about halfway through the second period. Ratzlaff turned away 10 of 12 shots faced.

The Chiefs controlled the momentum of the second period when they outshot the Thunderbirds 21-5 (28-26 in total). Spokane's special teams thrived, going 3-for-7 on the power play and 5-for-5 on the penalty kill.

Up next, the Chiefs will head home to host the same Seattle Thunderbirds on Thursday, December 30. It's Centennial Hotel Family Feast night! Enjoy discounted concession items available all game long, including $2 hot dogs, Coca-Cola products and more.

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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 Thursday, December 30 versus the Seattle Thunderbirds. It's Centennial Hotel Family Feast Night with discounted concession items available all game long. Tickets for all regular season games are available online at spokanechiefs.com/tickets.

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