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WHL Spokane Chiefs

Chiefs' Offense Stumbles in 4-1 Loss to Portland

December 19, 2021 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Spokane Chiefs News Release


Spokane, Wash. - The Portland Winterhawks stifled the Spokane Chiefs' offense on Saturday night at Spokane Arena as the hosting Chiefs fell, 4-1.

After a scoreless first period, the Winterhawks scored just 30 seconds into the second as defenseman Clay Hanus picked a corner through traffic to make it 1-0.

Portland padded their lead at 4:04 of the period, scoring just four seconds into a power play opportunity when Tyson Kozak won the draw to Jaydon Dureau, who wired the puck inside the post for his fifth goal in eight games.

The Chiefs found the net later in the middle frame when forward Copeland Fricker took advantage of an odd bounce to sneak one by goalie Dante Giannuzzi from a sharp angle. Fricker looked to pass from the left side but the puck deflected off a Portland stick and Giannuzzi's pad to trickle in for his first of the season.

That's a close as Spokane would get.

Portland controlled play in the third - outshooting the Chiefs 17-7 - and added two goals. James Stefan, who earned first star honors, punctuated the noteworthy fourth goal after Cross Hanas chipped the puck up and over the net for the assist.

Mason Beaupit made his second-straight start, making 32 saves on 36 shots faced. Giannuzzi finished 21-for-22.

Spokane will close out the first half of their schedule tomorrow at 4 p.m. when they face the Everett Silvertips on the road. They'll then take the annual midseason holiday break, returning to play at Seattle on December 28.

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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 Fred Meyer Wall Calendar Giveaway night, as the first 3,000 fans through the gates will receive a Spokane Chiefs Wall Calendar courtesy of Fred Meyer. Tickets for all regular season games are available online at spokanechiefs.com/tickets.

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