WHL Spokane Chiefs

Medicine Hat Stops Spokane

December 17, 2008 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Spokane Chiefs News Release


The Spokane Chiefs two goal third period wasn't enough to overcome the Medicine Hat Tigers on Tuesday night in a 3-2 loss in the Spokane Arena. The Tigers scored once in the first, second and third with the game winner coming at 13:57 of the final frame.

The Chiefs outshot Medicine Hat 46-25 but Ryan Holfeld stopped 44 shots, including 20 in the second period and earned the game's first star.

Facing a 2-0 deficit going into the third, Spokane scored twice with Jared Spurgeon's power play goal at 7:36 pulling Spokane within one. The 19-year-old defenseman arrived in Spokane on Monday night after attending Team Canada's World Junior Selection camp. Goaltender Dustin Tokarski made the final cuts but Spurgeon did not and came back to Spokane to score his third goal of the season.

Blake Gal, playing against his brother Taylor on the Tigers, was credited with a goal that wrapped around the boards and bounced back in front of the Medicine Hat net and in. For Gal, it was his fifth of the year. Levko Koper, who had two assists, and Trevor Glass helped on the goal.

The Tigers Sean Ringrose put an end to the Spokane comeback with the game winner.

The Chiefs were 1-5 on the power play and 2-2 on the penalty kill.

In a pre-game ceremony, former Chiefs captain Chris Bruton was in town to present former Chief Jace Coyle with his Memorial Cup Championship ring. Coyle is now a defenseman for Medicine Hat.

Spokane played their final game before the Holiday break and will return to play on Saturday, December 27th when they host the Tri-City Americans on SuperCuts Buck Night and CheerStix giveaway.

Tickets to 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 December 17, 2008


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