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WHL Spokane Chiefs

Michaluk Posts 48 Saves, Chiefs Fall Short to Kamloops 5-2

January 14, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Spokane Chiefs News Release


Kamloops, B.C. - The Spokane Chiefs couldn't keep up with the Kamloops Blazers Saturday night, falling 5-2.

The Chiefs managed to hold the second-place Blazers off until almost halfway through the first period, when Dylan Kuefler opened the scoring at 9:27.

Berkly Catton answered at 17:50 when he took the puck away from a Blazer along the right boards and swept it to center and into the twine to even things up 1-1.

Ryan Hofer broke the tie just under six minutes into the second period to put Kamloops back on top, 2-1.

Later, during a Kamloops power play, the Blazers won a face-off but winger Ty Cheveldayoff was able to grab the puck and break away down the ice. He dragged it across the ice in front of the crease and backhanded it over Matthew Kieper's shoulder and into the net to once again even the score at 2-2. It was Cheveldayoff's second shorthanded goal of the season.

From there, though, Kamloops began to pull away starting with an Olen Zellweger goal less than a minute after Cheveldayoff's to regain the lead.

The Blazers followed that up with back-to-back goals in the latter half of the third period - first by Hofer again at 11:21, then by Kyle Masters at 14:36 - to cap the scoring at 5-2.

Despite the final score, Cooper Michaluk was outstanding in net for Spokane, turning aside 48-of-53. By period, he stopped 18 in the first, 19 in the second and 11 in the third. He also earned the WHL's Save of the Night honors for Saturday.

The Chiefs remained strong on the penalty kill, shutting down all four of the Blazers' man advantages, but struggled on the power play (0-for-4). They were outshot by Kamloops, 53-24.

Up next, the Chiefs will head to Everett next Friday to take on the Silvertips.

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The Chiefs' next home game is Saturday, January 21 versus the Victoria Royals. It's Military Appreciation Night, presented by Pizza Factory! Tickets for January 21 and all regular season games are available online at spokanechiefs.com/tickets.

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Western Hockey League Stories from January 14, 2023


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