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WHL Spokane Chiefs

Nachbaur Ties Franchise Record as Chiefs Hold off Ice

January 24, 2016 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Spokane Chiefs News Release


Spokane Chiefs Head Coach Don Nachbaur
Spokane Chiefs Head Coach Don Nachbaur
(Spokane Chiefs)

SPOKANE, Wash. - Goaltender Tyson Verhelst made 21 saves to backstop the Spokane Chiefs on their way to a 3-1 win over the Kootenay Ice at Spokane Arena on Saturday night. The win marked Head Coach Don Nachbaur's 223rd behind the Chiefs' bench, tying him with Mike Babcock for most in franchise history. Rookie forward Jaret Anderson-Dolan got the scoring underway under three minutes into regulation, slipping one past Kootenay goalie Wyatt Hoflin for his ninth goal of the season.

The Chiefs pushed the lead to two with a power play goal at the 6:07 mark of the first period. Kailer Yamamoto fired a shot from the left wing that bounced off Hoflin to a waiting Presten Kopeck, who scored his seventh goal of the season and second with the Chiefs.

After a scoreless second period, Kootenay made it interesting with 13:31 left as Jared Legien took a stretch pass down the left wing to beat Verhelst on a breakaway. Spokane stiffened up, holding the Ice out of the net the rest of the way and finding some insurance when Curtis Miske slammed one home at the 17:57 mark. Defenseman Tyson Helgesen took advantage of a Kootenay turnover to find Bechtold streaking down the left wing. Bechtold took the puck to the net, stopped, then backhanded a perfect pass to Miske at the doorstep.

Nachbaur's 223rd win with the Chiefs was the 654th of his long career, including stops in Seattle and Tri-City. This is his sixth season with Spokane.

Spokane finished the game 1-for-4 on the power play and 2-for-2 on the penalty kill.

The Chiefs return to Spokane Arena on Friday, January 29 to face the Seattle Thunderbirds on Washington's Lottery Night at Spokane Arena. There will be a special pre-game ceremony on Friday to retire former Chief and long-time NHL standout Ray Whitney's number 14 jersey. It will be the first retired number in franchise history.

Tickets for Friday night, as well as Saturday's Washington Army National Guard Buck Night & CheerStix Giveaway, are available via TicketsWest online at www.ticketswest.com and via the Chiefs' Ticket Office over the phone at 509-535-PUCK.

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Spokane Chiefs Head Coach Don Nachbaur
Spokane Chiefs Head Coach Don Nachbaur
   



Western Hockey League Stories from January 24, 2016


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