Chiefs with Gritty Game 4 Victory, Force Game 5 on Thursday Night at Home
WHL Spokane Chiefs

Chiefs with Gritty Game 4 Victory, Force Game 5 on Thursday Night at Home

Published on April 2, 2026 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Spokane Chiefs News Release


Spokane Chiefs gather after a big goal against the Prince George Cougars
Spokane Chiefs gather after a big goal against the Prince George Cougars
(Spokane Chiefs)

Spokane, WA - The Spokane Chiefs playoffs presented by Numerica Credit Union continued Wednesday night, with Spokane hosting Prince George in Game 4 of the first round.

In the first period the Chiefs were 0/2 on the power play but managed to convert a short-handed goal after Coco Armstrong was issued a five-minute major penalty and game misconduct. Logan Wormald broke into the Cougar zone on a breakaway before finding Winnipeg Jets' prospect Owen Martin who deked around the netminder and clipped the backhand into the net.

Prince George was first on the board in the second period, with Kozicky scoring his first of the playoffs at 4:55.

Assanali Sarkenov and Chase Harrington combined to pepper the net before a Sarkenov shot trickled in, giving the Chiefs a 2-1 advantage at 15:16.

Spokane extended the lead a minute later after Gavin Burcar's shot deflected off a defender and in. Chiefs captain Will McIsaac and Spokane forward Brody Gillespie combined for the assists.

Spokane held onto the 3-1 lead until late in the third period when Lee Shurgot scored at 18:20 with an extra attacker on the ice.

The Chiefs' defense held strong the final 1:40 and earned a hard fought 3-2 win to force Game 5 tomorrow night.

Spokane fired 45 shots to just 25 for the visitors. The Chiefs won the special teams battle, scoring shorthanded and killing off both power play opportunities for Prince George, including the five-minute major in the first period. Carter Esler made 23 saves in net for his first career WHL playoff victory with Assanali Sarkenov earning first star of the game after returning from suspension the past two games.

Tickets for Game 5 at Numerica Veterans Arena on Thursday are on sale now. Doors open at 5 PM with puck drop scheduled for 6:05 PM.

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Spokane Chiefs gather after a big goal against the Prince George Cougars
Spokane Chiefs gather after a big goal against the Prince George Cougars
   



Western Hockey League Stories from April 2, 2026


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