Kichton Wins It in OT
Published on January 28, 2012 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Spokane Chiefs News Release
The Spokane Chiefs were victorious in a thrilling 5-4 overtime victory in front of 8,412 fans at the Spokane Arena on Saturday night. The win was highlighted by strong offensive play from blueliners Corbin Baldwin and Brenden Kichton, with Baldwin scoring late in the third to keep the Chiefs alive and Kichton providing the game winner.
The Ice came out strong in the first, scoring three times on six shots. Joe Antilla started things off redirecting a loose puck in front of the net past Mac Engel at 4:16 of the first.
Dylan McKinlay added to Kootenay's lead at 14:43 of the first receiving a feed from Luke Phillip just left of the slot. Elgin Pearce gave Kootenay a three goal advantage snapping a shot past Engel from the left face-off circle at 19:49.
The Chiefs made a goaltending change during the intermission with Eric Williams starting the second period. He stopped 18 of the 19 shots he faced in the game.
Spokane kept Kootenay goaltender Nathan Lieuwen busy in the second, putting 18 shots on goal. The persistence paid off midway through the second period for Todd Fiddler found himself with a wide open net just in front of the crease and scored at 12:48 of the second thanks to a Mitch Holmberg assist.
Marek Kalus scored his 12th goal of the year picking up a rebound created by a Brenden Kichton shot from the point at 14:06 of the second. The assist puts Kichton one ahead of assistant coach Jon Klemm for sixth on the Chiefs all time assist leaders for defenseman at 121.
It looked as though the game may have slipped away from Spokane midway through the third when Kootenay forward Joe Antilla skated around the Chiefs defenseman and place a shot in the top corner past Williams at 12:08.
Baldwin provided some late game heroics for the Chiefs on the power play, skating into a slapshot and scoring at 14:31 for his fourth goal of the year. Liam Stewart and Blake Gal received assists on the play.
Chief's captain Darren Kramer tied the game for Spokane, picking the puck up in front of the net after it had been played off the end board by Mike Aviani and scoring at 17:16 of the third to even the score at four.
Kichton completed the comeback for Spokane, skating through the heart of the Ice defense and snapping a shot past Lieuwen to win the game at 3:10 of overtime.
The Chiefs finished the game 1-5 on the powerplay, while going a perfect 3-3 on the penalty kill. Kichton was the games third star, with Baldwin earning the second star. Kootenay goaltender Lieuwen earned the games first star for his 41 saves.
The Chiefs next game comes Tuesday, January 31 in Seattle. The next home game is next Friday, February 3 against the Victoria Royals at 7 p.m. Tickets for all home games are available by calling the Chiefs office at (509) 535-PUCK or TicketsWest at (509) 325-SEAT.
Western Hockey League Stories from January 28, 2012
- Kichton Wins It in OT - Spokane Chiefs
- Royals Split Doubleheader with Blazers - Victoria Royals
- Silvertips Finish Weekend Sweep of Prince George - Everett Silvertips
- Calgary victorious over Tigers - Calgary Hitmen
- Rock Edge Roughnecks 14-13 - Calgary Hitmen
- Winterhawks Earn 8-3 Win in Seattle Saturday - Portland Winterhawks
- Oil Kings Fall 3-2 at Home - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Giants Beat Edmonton 3-2 - Vancouver Giants
- Royals' Pink in the Rink Night Sold Out - Victoria Royals
- Oil Kings Win Battle of Kings - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Dumba Ties It, Then Wins It in OT; Rebels Rally for 3-2 Win Over Tri-City - Tri-City Americans
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