Nachbaur Wins #500
Published on January 12, 2012 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Spokane Chiefs News Release
Chiefs' Head Coach Don Nachbaur won his 500th career game behind a WHL bench on Wednesday night as Spokane defeated the Everett Silvertips 6-1 in front of 3,754 fans. It was the Chiefs fourth win in a row as six different Chiefs found the back of the net as the Spokane improved to 7-1 against the Silvertips.
Mitch Holmberg found the back of the net early in the first period at 5:35, going top shelf on Everett goaltender Kent Simpson. It was Holmberg's fourth game in a row in which he has scored. The goal was set up by line mates Todd Fiddler and Dominik Uher. The red hot trio has combined for nine goals in the past four games.
Mike Aviani redirected a loose puck in front of the net to give the Chiefs a 2-0 lead at 7:23 of the first. Darren Kramer and Brenden Kichton received assists for the play.
The Silvertips capitalized on their first power play of the evening, with Brennan Yadlowski scoring at 16:25 of the first.
Spokane regained a two goal advantage as the first period came to a close, with Blake Gal finding himself wide open in the slot and blasted in a one timer from Kichton at 19:03 of the first making it a 3-1 game. It was Gal's eighth of the year and third in four games.
The second period was all Spokane as the Chiefs added two to their lead. Kramer batted a loose puck out of mid air and skated in all alone, shooting over the right shoulder of Simpson to score at 3:24 of the second.
Liam Stewart scored a persistent goal later in the second period at 17:00, getting his own rebound twice and finally bouncing it off Simpson on the third try to make it 5-1 Spokane.
The offense was nicely complimented by the outstanding play of Mac Engel in the second period, stopping all 10 shots he faced including three at point blank range.
Brenden Kichton scored the final goal of the game, skating around the Silvertips defense from the blue line and beating Simpson with his backhand to make it 6-1. Uher and Fiddler received assists on the play.
Spokane finished the game 0-3 on the power play, with Everett going 1-3. The Chiefs outshot the Silvertips 36-24.
In his 14th season as a head coach in the WHL, second in Spokane, Nachbaur became just the sixth coach in the history of the WHL to tally at least 500 victories. He won 202 in Seattle in five plus seasons and another 229 in Tri-City over a six year span. It was his 69th victory as the Chiefs' head coach. Nachbaur has won the Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy as the WHL's top coach in all three stops.
The Chiefs next game is a rematch against the Silvertips in Everett, their third straight game versus their U.S. Division rival. Spokane's next home game is on Saturday, January 14 against the division leading Tri-City Americans. Tickets for all home games are available by calling the Chiefs office at (509) 535-PUCK (7825) or TicketsWest at (800) 325-SEAT (7328).
Western Hockey League Stories from January 12, 2012
- WHL this Week: Looking Ahead - WHL
- This Week in Silvertips Hockey - Everett Silvertips
- Eston Rambler Atoms Hockey Team to Spend a Day with the Swift Current Broncos - Swift Current Broncos
- Canes Name Sutter Captain - Lethbridge Hurricanes
- Hay and Huska to Join Coaching Staff for 2012 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game - WHL
- Youth Winter Olympics to Begin - Lethbridge Hurricanes
- Vancouver Giants Weekend Preview - Vancouver Giants
- Stone, Bertaggia to be Recognized - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Blades Blank Wheats - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Unlucky 13; Streak Snapped as Blazers Earn 3-2 Win Over Tri-City - Tri-City Americans
- Rockets Drop First of Two in Portland - Kelowna Rockets
- Nachbaur Wins #500 - Spokane Chiefs
- Spokane Stays Unkind for Silvertips - Everett Silvertips
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