WHL Spokane Chiefs

Rockets Too Much for Chiefs

Published on November 12, 2014 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Spokane Chiefs News Release


SPOKANE, Wash. - The Spokane Chiefs lost 4-3 to the top-ranked Kelowna Rockets on Tuesday night at Spokane Arena. Riley Whittingham scored twice for Spokane as the Chiefs pressured late but fell short.

Whittingham pushed the Chiefs to an early lead, showing a burst of speed to reach a loose puck in the Rockets' zone and punch it in. His shot bounced on the legs of a sprawled Jackson Whistle, but the Kelowna netminder couldn't find the puck and the Chiefs went up 1-0 at the 0:56 mark.

Kelowna responded midway through the 1st Period as Cole Linaker found a rebound in front of Chiefs' goalie Garret Hughson and shot it top shelf to tie the game.

Tyrell Goulbourne joined a Rockets rush just after the expiration of a Chiefs power play to give Kelowna their first lead of the game at the 7:26 mark of the 2nd Period. Ten minutes later, at the 17:35 mark, WHL Player of the Week Rourke Chartier scored his 19th goal of the season - in his eighth straight game with a goal - to push the Rockets' lead to 3-1.

Whittingham scored his fourth of the season and second of the game with just under 14 minutes remaining after Whistle lost track of the puck in a scrum. The puck deflected off Whittingham's skate and in to bring the Chiefs within one goal.

Chartier scored his second of the night with just over 10 minutes remaining, firing a shot over Hughson's left shoulder to regain the two-goal lead. Adam Helewka scored late - the Chiefs were playing with an extra attacker and empty net - to narrow the deficit to one goal but Spokane couldn't complete the comeback.

Hughson finished the game with 20 saves on 24 shots while Whistle stopped 28 of 31 shots faced. Spokane went 1 for 4 on the PP and 5 for 5 on the penalty kill.

The Chiefs hit the road to face the Kamloops Blazers on Friday before returning home to face the rival Tri-City Americans on Saturday night. It will be Washington Army National Guard Buck Night at Spokane Arena. Saturday's game will be broadcast live on SWX (TV) and 1510 KGA (radio).

Tickets for Saturday night 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, via TicketsWest outlets and online at www.ticketswest.com.

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Western Hockey League Stories from November 12, 2014


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