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WHL Spokane Chiefs

Riley Whittingham Scores Twice In Chiefs Win

March 13, 2015 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Spokane Chiefs News Release


SPOKANE, Wash. - Head Coach Don Nachbaur's 200th win with Spokane clinched a playoff berth for the Chiefs for the ninth consecutive season as they walked away with a 5-3 win over the Portland Winterhawks at Spokane Arena on Friday night. Riley Whittingham led the Chiefs with two goals, including the game-winner.

Spokane came out with a purpose, scoring three goals in the opening period. Forward Adam Helewka scored his team-leading 39th goal of the season - and 10th power play goal - just under five minutes into play, beating goaltender Adin Hill between his legs on a partial breakaway.

Whittingham scored his first of the night under two minutes later, at the 6:30 mark, beating Hill high on the right side for his 15th of the season. Winterhawks' defenseman Adam Henry lost an edge - and the puck - at the Portland blue line to create the breakaway opportunity for the unassisted goal.

Rookie Kailer Yamamoto got in on the fun with a shorthanded goal at the 15:31 mark, knocking down a stretch pass from Jason Fram with his backhand to create the scoring chance and sneaking one past an outstretched Hill on the other end.

The CHL's 10th-ranked Winterhawks stormed back, scoring three consecutive goals in the second and third periods to tie the game, beginning with Anton Cederholm's eighth of the year. Cederholm flipped one on net from the left wing, barely squeezing inside the crossbar over Chiefs' goaltender Garret Hughson's left shoulder.

Danish forward Oliver Bjorkstrand scored his league-best 55th of the season on a power play with just 13 seconds left in the period. Nic Petan found Bjorkstrand all alone in the high slot, where he would then fire a slap shot past Hughson's glove to cut the lead to one goal.

Momentum for Portland carried into the third period as Chase De Leo scored his 34th of the season on a rebound opportunity created by overage forward Miles Koules. The goal, scored at the 5:29 mark, tied the game at three apiece.

The Chiefs fought back, creating a power play opportunity at the 8:38 mark of the period as De Leo went off for slashing. Whittingham scored a greasy one halfway through the man advantage, knocking the puck past Hill from a scrum in front of the Portland net. Dominic Zwerger would tack on his 16th of the year on an empty net to reach the final score.

Spokane finished the game 3 for 7 on the power play and 1 for 4 on the penalty kill. Hughson finished with 19 saves on 22 shots and Hill stopped 30 of 35.

The Chiefs remain at home for Supercuts BUCK Night & CheerStix Giveaway Night tomorrow at Spokane Arena as they host the rival Tri-City Americans. Tickets for Saturday night and all four remaining Chiefs regular season 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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Western Hockey League Stories from March 13, 2015


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