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WHL Spokane Chiefs

Chiefs Snap Winterhawks' Streak as Michaluk and Smith Earn First WHL Wins

February 13, 2022 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Spokane Chiefs News Release


Spokane, Wash. - The Spokane Chiefs snapped the Portland Winterhawks' 18-game point streak with a thrilling 3-2 victory at Spokane Arena on Saturday night. Rookie goalie Cooper Michaluk earned the win in his first career WHL start, turning aside 36 of 38 shots faced.

After a scoreless first, the Chiefs got on the board when Carter Streek - who was originally drafted by the Winterhawks in the fourth round of the 2019 WHL Bantam Draft - punched in a rebound opportunity to make it 1-0. The goal, Streek's third against Portland this season, was assisted by linemates Reed Jacobson and Kooper Gizowski as the Chiefs shuffled things up.

The Winterhawks evened it at 7:43 when Czech defenseman Marek Alscher sent a knucklepuck through traffic to beat Michaluk inside the left post.

Spokane regained a one-goal advantage at 13:31 of the middle frame, scoring just after the expiration of a power play. Erik Atchison fired the puck on net from above the right circle and Nick McCarry deflected it in, earning his ninth of the season to give Spokane a 2-1 lead into the second intermission.

The Chiefs extended the margin to two with a beautiful goal at 5:11 of the third. Streek dished the puck from behind the net to a slashing Gizowski, who chipped it past goalie Dante Giannuzzi for his second career goal and first game-winner.

The Winterhawks threatened late, closing the gap when Luca Cagnoni scored an unassisted power play goal at 10:30. That would cap the scoring, sealing the win for Spokane and snapping Portland's 17-0-0-1 streak dating back to December 17 (also at Spokane).

The win was also the first for Interim Head Coach Ryan Smith, who took over behind the bench for Spokane on Thursday.

Spokane was outshot 23-38 on the night, going 1-for-5 on the power play and 3-for-4 on the penalty kill. They will host the Winterhawks again on Tuesday, Feb. 15.

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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 Tuesday, February 15 versus the Portland Winterhawks. It's a TicketsWest Player Magnet Giveaway! The first 1,000 fans through the gates will receive a refrigerator magnet featuring a Chiefs player courtesy of TicketsWest. Tickets for all regular season games are available online at spokanechiefs.com/tickets.

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Western Hockey League Stories from February 13, 2022


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