WHL Spokane Chiefs

Chiefs take shootout

January 5, 2008 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Spokane Chiefs News Release


The Spokane Chiefs won their first shootout of the season with a 5-4 decision over the visiting Moose Jaw Warriors on Friday night in the Spokane Arena. Spokane upped their record to 29-8-1-2 and are now all alone in first place in the U.S. Division moving two points ahead of Tri-City, 3-2 losers at Kamloops. Spokane will travel to Tri-City to take on the Americans on Saturday night.

The Chiefs held a 1-0 advantage after the first period when Curtis Kelner's shot from the slot hit a Moose Jaw defenseman and caromed into the net. Spokane then led 2-0 after a Drayson Bowman backhand from the right wing at 3:53 of the second. His 27 goals lead the WHL.

The Warriors crept back into the game with a shorthanded goal at 6:13 of the second and an even strength goal at5 11:03.

With the game tied at two, Spokane and Moose Jaw traded goals, first a power play blast by Ondøej Roman to give Spokane a 3-2 lead. Moose Jaw scored on the man-advantage at 13:17 to make it 3-3.

The Chiefs took a short lived 4-3 lead at 14:08 of the third when David Rutherford stole the puck and dished it out to Judd Blackwater. With little room to move, Blackwater stick handled and used a deke to pull Joey Perricone out of position before he slipped the puck into the back of the net for his 13th of the year.

The Warriors tied it at four at 17:06 with a goal by Brad Riege and sent the game into overtime. Spokane outshot Moose Jaw 4-2 in the period and enjoyed a two minute power play, but neither team could find the back of the net and Spokane went to a shootout for the third time at home this year.

Blackwater and Bowman each scored for Spokane and Dustin Tokarski stopped both shots he faced to give Spokane the victory.

The Chiefs second game in six nights in Kennewick will be aired live on Comcast Channel 12 beginning at 7:00 on Saturday night.

Spokane returns home for a game against Kamloops on Wednesday night on TicketsWest Player Magnet Wednesday.

Tickets for all home games are available by calling the Chiefs office at (509) 535-PUCK or TicketsWest at (800) 325-SEAT.

Check out the Spokane Chiefs Statistics



Western Hockey League Stories from January 5, 2008


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