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WHL Spokane Chiefs

Franchise Record 8,604 Bears Fly in Sold out Chiefs Victory

December 8, 2019 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Spokane Chiefs News Release


SPOKANE, Wash. - The Spokane Chiefs extended their winning streak to a season-high four games on Saturday night as they topped the rival Tri-City Americans, 4-3. Chiefs fans set a new club record in the annual teddy bear toss with 8,604 stuffed animals donated to the The Spokesman-Review Christmas Bureau to be distributed to families in need in the Spokane community.

The Chiefs jumped out to an early lead when Minnesota Wild prospect and team scoring leader Adam Beckman ripped in the teddy goal only 41 second into regulation. The goal marked Beckman's 14th of the season, with assists to Noah King and Cordel Larson.

Tri-City answered late in the first with a goal from Nick Bowman before taking the lead early in the second as Booker Daniel potted his third of the year.

Larson struck for a goal of his own at 12:27 of the second, spinning a rebound chance created on a Matt Leduc shot to beat goaltender Beck Warm to make it 2-2. The Americans once again took the lead at 19:10 as Luke Zazula found some open space on the right side to make it 3-2 Tri-City after two despite a 33-13 shots advantage for the Chiefs.

After dominating the offensive chances through the first two periods, it was more of the same in the third as the Chiefs converted two of their 17 shots into goals. Eli Zummack scored a highlight-reel unassisted goal at 2:48 to re-tie the game before Luke Toporowski scored the game-winner at 8:18, capitalizing on a beautiful feed from Jack Finley behind the net.

One final threat by Tri-City with the extra attacker on was squashed when Chiefs goaltender Lukas Parik covered up the puck on the goal line with just seconds remaining.

Parik stopped 18 of 21 Tri-City shots while Warm notched 46 saves on 50 faced to earn third star honors. Both sides went 0-for-2 on the power play.

The win pushed Spokane to a 16-9-3-0 record for 35 points. The Chiefs will be on the road to close out the first half of the regular season, playing six-straight away from home before returning to Spokane Arena on December 28 to face the same Tri-City squad.

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The Chiefs wrap-up the first half of the season with a five-game road trip before returning home on Saturday, December 28 to again host Tri-City. It will be Coeur d'Alene Casino Family Feast Night with fans able to purchase a variety of discounted concessions throughout the game all along the main concourse.

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

Check out the Spokane Chiefs Statistics



Western Hockey League Stories from December 8, 2019


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