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WHL Spokane Chiefs

Franchise Record 7,655 Bears Tossed as Chiefs Top Kootenay in OT

December 9, 2018 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Spokane Chiefs News Release


SPOKANE, Wash. - The Spokane Chiefs came out on top in an overtime thriller over the Kootenay ICE on Saturday night, 4-3. Defenseman Bobby Russell sent the fur flying in the second period, allowing fans to toss a franchise record 7,655 stuffed animals onto the Spokane Arena ice in the annual Teddy Bear Toss.

After a Kootenay goal from team captain Peyton Krebs in the first, the Chiefs scored the highly anticipated Teddy Bear Toss goal at the 2:05 mark of the second frame, firing a point shot from between the circles past a screened Jesse Makaj. The goal was Russell's 3rd of the season and first since his return from a two-week upper body injury on Friday.

Kootenay retook the lead with a power play goal from Jaeger White later in the second to take a 2-1 lead into the second intermission.

The Chiefs looked refreshed as they took the ice for the third period, picking up a goal from Chiefs forward Luc Smith - his eighth point (4G-4A) in six games since joining the Chiefs - just 31 seconds into the period to tie things at 2-2. Spokane pulled ahead just minutes later when Cordel Larson scored his second third-period goal in as many nights, taking advantage of a Kootenay turnover to laser his fifth goal at 3:13.

Kootenay tied things up with an extra attacker on to force overtime, but it was the Chiefs' night to take the two points as forward Eli Zummack picked up a loose puck in the neutral zone, faked left and slipped the puck inside the right post to seal the victory.

Dawson Weatherill got the start for the Chiefs in goal, ending the night with 25 saves on 28 Kootenay shots while Makaj went 28-for-32. The Chiefs were unable to score on their only power play chance while the ICE went 1-for-3.

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The Chiefs travel to Everett Sunday for a quick one-game road trip before taking on the Silvertips back at home on Wednesday, December 12 for Ticketswest Player Magnet Giveaway. The first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive a refrigerator magnet featuring a Spokane Chiefs player! U.S. Marine Corps will be also be on hand to accept new, unwrapped toy donations for the Toys for Tots program.

Tickets for all Chiefs home games are available online, over the phone at 509-535-PUCK and at the Chiefs' Ticket Office at Spokane Arena.

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Western Hockey League Stories from December 9, 2018


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