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WHL Spokane Chiefs

Chiefs Power Past Americans, 5-4 on Military Appreciation Night

January 30, 2022 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Spokane Chiefs News Release


Spokane, Wash. - The Spokane Chiefs came out flying and never trailed in a thrilling 5-4 win over the rival Tri-City Americans on Saturday night at Spokane Arena. It was Military Appreciation Night as the Chiefs wore special themed jerseys auctioned off to benefit the Washington State Fallen Heroes Project.

Newcomer Nick McCarry - acquired by Spokane at the trade deadline earlier in the month - scored his first goal as a Chief at 16:49 of the first, chipping the puck into an open net after sneaking backdoor.

Tri-City tied it at 2:15 of the second but the Chiefs bounced back quickly as young defenseman Logan Cunningham scored his first career WHL goal at 4:32, finding a path through traffic with shot from the left point.

Fellow blueliner Raegan Wiles scored his first of two goals later in the second to make it 3-1, wiring a perfect shot top corner just after a 4-on-4 faceoff in the Tri-City zone.

The Americans wouldn't quit, scoring at 18:55 of the second and 5:40 of the third to tie the game at 3-3.

Chase Bertholet was credited with his 14th goal of the season at 6:43 as the Chiefs regained the lead. The puck was lost in Tri-City goalie Tomas Suchanek's pads for a moment before sneaking over the goal line to make it 4-3 Spokane.

Wiles scored his second of the night under 30 seconds later, weaving through the Americans' defense for a highlight reel score, extending the lead to two.

Tri-City's Samuel Huo scored his second of the night at 12:21 but that's as close as the visitors would get as Spokane sealed the win down the stretch.

Spokane outshot Tri-City 36-24 on the night, going 0-for-3 on the power play and 4-for-4 on the penalty kill. They host the Prince George Cougars on Wednesday, Feb. 2.

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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 Wednesday, February 2 versus the Prince George Cougars. It's another TicketsWest Player Magnet Giveaway as the first 1,000 fans through the gates will received a Bear Hughes refrigerator magnet. Tickets for all regular season games are available online at spokanechiefs.com/tickets.

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Western Hockey League Stories from January 30, 2022


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