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WHL Spokane Chiefs

Chiefs Give up Lead, Lose 4-3 on Friday

February 21, 2015 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Spokane Chiefs News Release


SPOKANE, Wash. - The Spokane Chiefs earned a 3-1 lead early in the 3rd Period but gave up three straight goals to close the game, losing 4-3 to the Calgary Hitmen on Friday night in front of 9,826 fans at Spokane Arena. Chiefs forward Blair Oneschuk scored his third goal of the season - and first since returning from injury earlier this month - in the loss.

The Hitmen got on the board first as forward Carsen Twarynski punched in a rebound off a Ben Thomas shot, beating Chiefs goaltender Garret Hughson top shelf for his sixth of the season just 3:45 into the 1st Period.

Adam Helewka answered back for the Chiefs, scoring his team-leading 31st goal of the season at the 8:07 mark of the opening frame. Helewka stole a pass inside the Calgary defensive zone and beat Brendan Burke low on his stick side at the 8:07 mark.

Oneschuk gave the Chiefs a 2-1 lead late in the 2nd Period, assisted by Dominic Zwerger and Evan Fiala. He took the puck behind the Calgary net and out to Burke's left before flipping a backhand on the short side that squeezed through for the score.

The Chiefs held their 2-1 lead into the 2nd Intermission thanks in large part to a crowd-stirring save in the final minute. The Foremost, Alta. native stuffed a shot on a Hitmen breakaway, then dove across the crease to deny the rebound attempt on an otherwise wide open net.

Spokane extended their lead early in the 3rd Period as Kailer Yamamoto flipped one past Burke for his 18th of the season. Calder Brooks, who returned from injury on Friday after missing 19 straight games with an upper body injury, fed Yamamoto a perfect pass from the left wing to set up the score.

The Hitmen stormed back, earning goals from Michael Zipp, Elliott Peterson and Colby Harmsworth in a span of six minutes. Harmsworth's game-winner came off a highlight-worthy backhanded assist from New York Rangers prospect Adam Tambellini. Tambellini drove to the right corner before flipping the puck blindly to the stick of Harmsworth, who chipped it over the blocker of Hughson for the lead.

Neither team scored on the power play, with Spokane going 0-for-2 and Calgary going 0-for-3. Hughson finished with 20 saves on 24 shots, while Burke stopped 26 of 29.

The Chiefs are right back at it tomorrow night for Red Lion River Inn BUCK Night & CheerStix Giveaway at Spokane Arena as they host the Kootenay Ice. Tickets for Saturday night and all Chiefs games are available in-person at the Chiefs' Ticket Office, over the phone at (509) 535-PUCK or (800) 325-SEAT, and online at www.ticketswest.com.

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Western Hockey League Stories from February 21, 2015


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