Chiefs Take Game 3; Lead Series 2-1
April 22, 2008 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Tri-City Americans News Release
SPOKANE, WA - After back-to-back double overtime games to start the Western Conference Finals, Spokane and Tri-City kept Game 3 a bit shorter.
To do so meant scoring goals in regulation; something neither team has been able to accomplish thus far in the series.
But, with only 8:21 gone in the first period, Spokane got their opportunity when a David Rutherford shot from behind the net ricocheted off Chet Pickard's stick and went straight to Judd Blackwater. Blackwater then fed a nice pass to Ondrej Roman, who buried it behind Pickard for the only goal the Chiefs would need, as Spokane defeated the visiting Tri-City Americans 2-0 in front of 5,921 fans at Veterans Memorial Arena. With the win, the Chiefs now lead the best-of-seven series 2 games to 1, as the two clubs head right back to the Arena tomorrow, April 22nd for Game 4. Game time is 7:00 p.m.
Although Game 3 did not need multiple overtimes, it looked and felt much like the previous two games of the series with each team trying to impose their style of play in the contest. The Chiefs came out aggressive and physical, putting a body on nearly every Tri-City player that touched the puck. But, with Pickard in net, the Americans were able to keep within striking distance.
The back-breaker for Tri-City came a few minutes after they were unable to convert on their fourth of five power play chances in the game. With just over 11 minutes remaining in regulation, Spokane's Seth Compton poked the puck free from a scrum near the corner and maneuvered his way towards the slot. Appearing to lose control of the puck, Compton put enough touch on the puck to send it straight to David Rutherford. Rutherford then beat Pickard over his shoulder to put the game away.
Both teams struggled again on special teams, as Tri-City finished 0-for-5 and Spokane went 0-for-6 on the power play. Neither team has registered a power play goal in 35 combined chances. Meanwhile, Dustin Tokarski stopped all 25 shots he faced in picking up his third shutout of the post-season and second of the series. Pickard finished with 34 saves in the loss.
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- Chiefs Take Game 3; Lead Series 2-1 - Tri-City Americans
- Chiefs Take Lead in Series - Spokane Chiefs
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