WHL Spokane Chiefs

Chiefs Start Strong But Fall in Shootout to Regina Pats

December 15, 2022 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Spokane Chiefs News Release


Regina, S.K. - The Spokane Chiefs' got off to a fast start in Regina as they faced the Pats in the 4th game of their 6-game Eastern Swing road trip. Coming off a 5-2 win in their previous game, the Chiefs wasted no time getting the party started on Wednesday.

The boys are off to a flying start! Weinstein rips home a shot after a nice centering feed from Gizowski.

Gizowski centered the puck after a scrum behind the net to find Saige Weinstein who fired it home. For Weinstein it was his 4th goal of the season and he now sits just one point shy of his season total from a year ago. Gizowski notched his 8th assist of the season on the play at 3:18 in the 1st period.

It would not be long before the Chiefs found the net again. Chase Bertholet skipped the puck off the boards where it was picked up down the left wing by Cheveldayoff. He centered the puck where it ricocheted off a skate before finding Bertholet who weaved through traffic and buried his 11th of the season. A potent combination for the Chiefs this season, Bertholet and Cheveldayoff sit at one and two in the team lead for points so far on the year.

Spokane would add a 3rd before the period was up, and this time it was a power play goal at 16:46. Sasketchewan native Cade Hayes got the last touch on a firm slapshot from Mac Gross, another one of four Spokane players that have Sasketchewan roots. Michael Cicek chipped in with an assist on the play to register his first point of the season.

The Regina Pats jumped out to a quick start in second frame, pulling one back through Suzdalev.

Cameron Parr and Kooper Gizowski almost combined for a 2-on-1 breakaway goal to add a 4th for Spokane, but it clanged off the frame of the goal and stayed out.

Regina responded with another goal, this time Suzdalev providing an assist along with Valis, on the Tanner Howe goal. The Pats would make it 3-3 at the start of the 3rd with a goal from Rowan at 2:26 in the period. He was assisted by Oremba and Almen on the play.

A tight third period saw numerous chances for both sides before ultimately ending without another goal, sending the game to overtime for just the 2nd time this season for the Chiefs.

Neither team was able to scratch out a goal during the overtime 3-on-3 period and the two teams headed to a shootout. Regina's Suzdalev continued his impressive game, scoring first. Catton took the ice for the Chiefs but was unable to answer. In Round 2, Tanner Howe of Regina scored while Tommy De Luca pulled his effort just wide for Spokane, resulting in victory for the Pats.

Goaltenders Cooper Michaluk (SPO) and Drew Sim (REG) had similar outings, each stopping 26 of 29 shots faced in regulation and playing the full 65 minutes of possible ice time.

A relatively clean game, Spokane went on the powerplay four times and scored once while holding Regina to 0-3 on their man-advantages.

This game came as a bittersweet homecoming for Regina native and Spokane Alternate Captain Blake Swetlikoff, who played tonight in front of his hometown family and friends for the first time in his WHL Career. Swetlikoff is 10th on the team in points during the season so far, and has hit double digits with 10 assists.

Up next, the Chiefs travel north up the road to Saskatoon where they'll take on the Blades on Friday night. The game marks a return to his hometown for former #1 overall pick, rookie Berkly Catton.

-

The Chiefs' next home game is Wednesday, December 28 versus the Seattle Thunderbirds. It's a TicketsWest Player Magnet Giveaway - the first 1,000 fans through the doors will receive a refrigerator magnet featuring a Chiefs player courtesy of TicketsWest. Collect them all throughout the season! Tickets for December 28 and all regular season games are available online at spokanechiefs.com/tickets.

Check out the Spokane Chiefs Statistics



Western Hockey League Stories from December 15, 2022


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central