WHL Spokane Chiefs

Michaluk, Weinstein Shine in Chiefs' 4-2 Win Over Kelowna Tuesday

Published on February 14, 2024 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Spokane Chiefs News Release


Kelowna, B.C. - Capitalizing on a 40-save effort from Cooper Michaluk, the Spokane Chiefs came away with a 4-2 victory over the Kelowna Rockets on the road Tuesday night. The Chiefs are now 6-3-0-1 in their last ten games and are in the last playoff spot in the Western Conference with six points over the ninth-place Tri-City Americans.

The first period was full of penalties, with the Rockets taking advantage of a power play at 4:39 as Andrew Cristall opened the scoring - his 100th career WHL goal.

A little less than four minutes later, Spokane stole a power play opportunity away from Kelowna when Berkly Catton picked up the puck along the left boards and spun around to pass it to a rushing Conner Roulette, who carried it across the left circle with a beautiful toe drag release to the twine for his second shorthanded goal of the year and his 34th of the season.

The Rockets answered with a goal at 11:17 to regain the lead thanks to Kayden Longley. That would end up being the last time Kelowna scored, as Cooper Michaluk stopped all 28 shots faced through the second and third periods.

Colorado Avalanche defenseman prospect Saige Weinstein picked up his first of two goals on the night five and a half minutes into the middle frame when Ty Cheveldayoff pushed the puck over to Weinstein at the left wing and he fired a shot over the red line to tie things up 2-2. Shea Van Olm also picked up an assist on the play.

The score remained even through the rest of the second period, as Michaluk dazzled in net for Spokane.

Weinstein again opened the scoring in the final frame at 2:24 as he carried the puck all the way up the right wing and swept it across in front of the net and slid it past Jari Kykkanen one-handed to give the Chiefs a 3-2 lead in what would end up being the game-winning goal and the WHL's Highlight of the Night.

Spokane managed to kill off a couple penalties throughout the third before stretching their lead to 4-2 thanks to a breakaway goal by Rasmus Ekström made possible by a feed from Cheveldayoff - his third assist of the night.

The goal marked Ekström's 12th of the season and his sixth straight game with at least one point.

The Rockets outshot the Chiefs 42-29. The Chiefs struggled on the power play (0-for-4), but were nearly perfect on the penalty kill, shutting down all but one of Kelowna's seven man advantages.

Up next, Spokane has a double-header against the rival Tri-City Americans this weekend, starting in Kennewick on Friday night before they return to Spokane Arena Saturday night.

Check out the Spokane Chiefs Statistics

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Western Hockey League Stories from February 14, 2024


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