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WHL Spokane Chiefs

Chiefs Struggle to Build Momentum, Lose to Victoria 6-3

January 7, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Spokane Chiefs News Release


Spokane, Wash. - The Spokane Chiefs struggled to build up momentum in their 6-3 loss to the Victoria Royals on Friday night at Spokane Arena.

The Royals got things started at 5:16 in the first period when Marcus Almquist scored his fifth of the year unassisted. They followed that up with a power play goal by Matthew Hodson at 16:07 to pad Victoria's lead to 2-0.

But the Chiefs weren't leaving the period without a fight, as Berkly Catton picked up the puck in the right corner and fed it to Chase Bertholet who found the twine at 19:23 for a team-leading 15th time this season. Defenseman Mac Gross also earned an assist on the play.

The Royals once again kicked off the second period with back-to-back goals, first at 1:29 (Tanner Scott) and then at 6:02 (Riley Gannon) to extend their lead to 4-1 by the game's halfway point.

Cade Hayes answered by cleaning up a rebound in front of the net at 12:42 to make it 4-2. Gross and Ty Cheveldayoff were credited with the helpers, marking Gross' second point of the night and his sixth in the last four games.

The momentum was short-lived though, as Scott notched his second goal of the night at 13:59 to make it 5-2.

A few minutes later, Cheveldayoff was taken down during a breakaway for the net resulting in a Spokane penalty shot. Cheveldayoff took the puck to the left before sweeping down in front of the net and firing the puck behind the glove of Braden Holt and into the net to bring the Chiefs within two at 17:21.

But again, Spokane couldn't keep the tide in their favor, as Almquist scored what would prove to be the final goal of the game at 18:01 in the second to seal the Victoria win at 6-3.

Special teams struggled for Spokane, going 0-for-3 on the power play and 0-for-2 on the penalty kill. The Chiefs were outshot 31-26. Related Links

Box Score: SPO (3) vs VIC (6) - January 6, 2023

Cooper Michaluk started in net for Spokane, turning aside 23-of-29 shots faced.

Up next, the Chiefs will take on the Vancouver Giants Saturday night at Spokane Arena.

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The Chiefs' next home game is Saturday, January 7 versus the Vancouver Giants. It's the Coors Light Seattle Kraken Trip Giveaway - one lucky fan will walk away with tickets to the Seattle Kraken game on Saturday, March 18 vs the Edmonton Oilers courtesy of Coors Light! Tickets for January 7 and all regular season games are available online at spokanechiefs.com/tickets.

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