Reid Stops 43, Chiefs Drop Opener

Published on September 4, 2009 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Spokane Chiefs News Release

Despite 43 saves from Spokane goaltender James Reid, the Chiefs dropped a 3-2 decision to the Portland Winterhawks in their first pre-season game of the year on Friday afternoon. The Chiefs were playing their first of three games in as many days at the Everett Silvertips annual pre-season tournament.

The Winterhawks scored the first three goals of the game, two by Radim Valchar in the first and second, and another by Oliver Gabriel in the third. Valchar's first was on the power play, one of four that the Winterhawks enjoyed in the opening frame. Gabriel's was also scored with an extra skater giving Portland a 2-9 night on the man advantage.

Second year Chief Kenton Miller put Spokane on the board with a power play goal at 16:42 and rookie Matt Marantz scored to make it a one goal affair with 28-seconds remaining. Post Falls native Tanner Mort assisted on Miller's goal while Mitch Wahl and defenseman Landon Oslanski had the helpers on Marantz's goal.

The Chiefs finished 1-9 on power play, including 0-6 in the second. Reid stopped 21 of 22 shots in the first period as the Winterhawks would go on to outshoot the Chiefs 46-19.

The 19-year-old goaltender will spend the first part of the weekend with the Chiefs before traveling to Vancouver to attend training camp with the NHL's Canucks. As a rookie last year, Reid posted a 1.68 goals against average, .940 save percentage, four shutouts and 12 wins in 18 appearances.

The Chiefs were able to play nine newcomers, including their first two bantam picks in 2009. Reid Gow, a defenseman, and Connor Chartier, a forward, suited up and made their WHL debut. The Chiefs will return to action on Saturday afternoon at 3:00 to take on the Tri-City Americans. Spokane will play Everett on Sunday at 3:00.

Western Hockey League Stories from September 4, 2009

• Pats go down in a shoot out - Regina Pats
• Rebels get past Oil Kings - Edmonton Oil Kings
• Hitmen post come-from-behind win - Calgary Hitmen
• Wheaties win pre-season opener - Brandon Wheat Kings
• Reid Stops 43, Chiefs Drop Opener - Spokane Chiefs
• Winterhawks Players Looking Forward to NHL Camps - Portland Winterhawks
• T-Birds Trap Cougars - Seattle Thunderbirds
• Individual Game Night Tickets Available September 8th - Saskatoon Blades
• Maschmeyer traded to Blazers - Kamloops Blazers
• Blades & Saskatoon Media Group Announce Four-Year Agreement - Saskatoon Blades
• Hurricanes Season Ticket Drive shifts into high gear - Lethbridge Hurricanes
• Cougars Sign John Odgers - Prince George Cougars
• Austin Frank Re-Assigned - Prince Albert Raiders
• Wheaties Face Pats Friday - Brandon Wheat Kings

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