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WHL Spokane Chiefs

Chiefs Force Overtime, But Fall 4-3 to Rival Tri-City Americans

February 20, 2022 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Spokane Chiefs News Release


Kennewick, Wash. - The Spokane Chiefs battled back throughout Saturday's game against the rival Tri-City Americans, forcing overtime but ultimately falling 4-3.

The first period was all Tri-City, as Parker Bell was the only player to find the net in the first 20 minutes of play (8:51).

The Chiefs came out hot in the second period, taking advantage of a power play opportunity at 6:03 when Nick McCarry made a diving effort to get Graham Sward's rebound past the Tri-City netminder. The goal extends McCarry's point streak to five games.

The Americans were quick to answer though, putting up back-to-back goals from Ian Ferguson (7:10) and Melnyk (9:55) to give them a 3-1 advantage heading into second intermission.

Rookie defenseman Brayden Crampton wasted no time getting the Chiefs back on the board in the third period, scoring his second goal of the season less than two minutes into the frame. Fellow rookie Kooper Gizowski followed that up with a goal of his own to tie things up 3-3 at 7:15.

The Chiefs went on their first penalty kill of the game after a hooking call on rookie defenseman Saige Weinstein at 13:27 in the third period, then again at 15:35, successfully shutting down both chances to send the game into overtime.

After staying out of the box for a majority of the game, an interference penalty on Reagan Wiles proved costly for the Chiefs in the overtime frame. Connor Bouchard capitalized on the opportunity and converted it into the game-winning goal at 2:01 with help from Samuel Huo and Marc Lajoie.

Mason Beaupit returned to the crease for the first time since February 5 when he left the game with an upper body injury. He played all 62:01 of Saturday's overtime contest, turning aside 28-of-32 shots faced. Meanwhile, Tri-City's Tomas Suchanek denied 33-of-36 Spokane shots.

Spokane outshot the Americans 36-32 and went 1-for-4 on the power play and 2-for-3 on the penalty kill.

Up next, the Chiefs continue their weekend road trip as they head across state lines to take on the Portland Winterhawks Sunday night.

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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, February 25 versus the Seattle Thunderbirds. It's Shriners Hospitals for Children School Night and Plush Pillow Giveaway. The first 1,000 kids (12 & under) will receive a Boomer The Bear pillow courtesy of Shriners Hospitals for Children. Tickets for all regular season games are available online at spokanechiefs.com/tickets.

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