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WHL Spokane Chiefs

Chiefs Force Overtime in Final Seconds, Fall 5-4 in Portland

January 24, 2022 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Spokane Chiefs News Release


Portland, Ore. - The Spokane Chiefs fought to the very end and forced overtime in the final 12 seconds against the Portland Winterhawks Sunday night, but ultimately lost 5-4.

The first period was all Winterhawks, as Gabe Klassen opened the scoring off a power play goal at 13:38 right before Jack O'Brien netted his sixth of the year at 15:20.

Newly-dubbed captain Bear Hughes got things going in the second period for the Chiefs at 8:58 on a second-chance shot after Chase Bertholet charged down the ice and fired a shot off the pads of Taylor Gauthier.

Former Portland Winterhawk Carter Streek tacked on a goal of his own at 16:41 in the second, the Chiefs' first power play goal of the night. With that, Spokane evened the score at 2-2 heading into the final frame.

Erik Atchison tipped momentum in Spokane's favor at 5:49 in the third when he deflected a Hughes shot beautifully past Gauthier to make it 3-4 Chiefs. The lead was short-lived, though, as Tyson Kozak evened things up again at 9:21. Cross Hanas put the Winterhawks back on top halfway through the frame with his 12th goal of the year.

In their final possession of regulation, the Chiefs were swiftly moving the puck around in the offensive zone when Hughes found a slot to the front of the goal where Blake Swetllikoff tipped the puck into the net with just 12 seconds left to play. That sent the game into overtime, where Ryan McCleary finished things off with a game-winning goal for Portland at 2:44.

Rookie netminder Manny Panghli got the start in goal and stopped 32 of 37 shots faced. Spokane special teams were potent on the power play, converting two of three man advantages into goals. The Chiefs went 3-for-5 on the penalty kill and were outshot 37-30 on the night.

Up next, the Chiefs will travel back to Seattle to face the Thunderbirds and wrap up their road trip.

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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, January 28 versus the Seattle Thunderbirds. It's Gold Seal Plumbing Princesses and Heroes Night - bring the kids to meet their favorite Disney princesses and heroes! Tickets for all regular season games are available online at spokanechiefs.com/tickets.

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