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WHL Spokane Chiefs

Miske Can't Miss as Chiefs Blow out Americans

March 1, 2015 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Spokane Chiefs News Release


SPOKANE, Wash. - Rookie forward Curtis Miske scored his first career hat trick and the Chiefs piled on five goals in the second period as they coasted to an 8-1 win over the Tri-City Americans on Saturday night at Spokane Arena. The win pushed the Chiefs seven points ahead of the Americans for the first wild card playoff spot in the WHL's Western Conference.

Miske got the scoring started midway through the 1st Period, beating Tri-City Goaltender Beck Warm low on his glove side, for his third goal of the season. Keanu Yamamoto earned his 12th assist of the season on the play. Spokane went into the first intermission leading 19-6 in shots on goal but just 1-0 on the scoreboard.

They began to pull away with the high-scoring second period as forward Blair Oneschuk squeezed a wraparound attempt under Warm's pads for his fourth goal of the year, which later proved to be the game-winner. The goal was initially waved off but video review confirmed the puck passed the goal line, giving the Chiefs a 2-0 lead.

Team-leading scorer Adam Helewka earned his first goal of the night on a rebound created by Kailer Yamamoto. Yamamoto took a pass from defenseman Evan Fiala into the right corner and found a way to get a shot on net, which caused the puck to float out in front of Warm, allowing Helewka to punch it in for a 3-0 lead. The goal extended Helewka's goal streak to three games.

Just 24 seconds later, 20-year-old center Liam Stewart earned his 21st of the season, snapping a shot past Warm from the left circle. Dominic Zwerger and Riley Whittingham earned assists on the play at the 6:14 mark of the second period.

Miske wiggled his way to his second of the night at the 12:09 mark, taking a loose puck on his backhand then to his forehand to beat a sprawling Warm. Nick Charif and Keanu Yamamoto earned assists on the play.

Helewka potted his second of the night and 35th of the year to cap the scoring in the middle frame, wristing one past Warm from the high slot with just 50 seconds remaining. Jason Fram and Stewart earned assists on the play.

Calder Brooks got on the board 7:14 into the third period, tapping in his 19th of the season off a creative no-look pass from Kailer Yamamoto. The goal, also assisted by Helewka, was Brooks' eighth in his last 11 games.

Miske redirected his third goal in on the power play at the 15:02 mark of the third period, assisted by Keanu Yamamoto and Fram, to give the Chiefs an 8-0 lead.

Tri-City took advantage of a 5-on-3 power play opportunity in the closing seconds to spoil Chiefs goaltender Garret Hughson's bid for a second straight shutout. Tayler Vickerman scored his sixth of the year with assists from Ty Comrie and Richard Nejezchleb at the 19:45 mark.

Spokane finished the game 2-for-7 on the power play and 6-for-7 on the penalty kill. They outshot the Americans 39-23 in the game. The Chiefs are now 7-3-0-0 against their rivals, with two more games remaining in the season series.

The Chiefs remain at home to host the Vancouver Giants on Tuesday for another TicketsWest Player Magnet Giveaway Night at Spokane Arena. Tickets for Tuesday and all Chiefs home games are available in-person at the Chiefs' Ticket Office, over the phone at (509) 535-PUCK or (800) 325-SEAT and online at www.ticketswest.com.

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