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WHL Spokane Chiefs

Roulette Scores OT Game-Winner Against Former Team, Chiefs Top Thunderbirds 3-2

November 4, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Spokane Chiefs News Release


Kent, Wash. - The Spokane Chiefs fought back and secured an overtime victory on the road Saturday night, winning 3-2 over the Seattle Thunderbirds. It was overage winger Conner Roulette who netted the game-winning goal against his former team in the extra frame, his third of the season.

The Thunderbirds scored the lone goal of the first period with just under five minutes left to play, as Antonio Martorana found the twine for the sixth time this season. Seattle carried the 1-0 lead into the first break.

But the Chiefs came out hot in the middle frame, as Berkly Catton picked up a feed from Roulette and drove to the net, firing the puck past Scott Ratzlaff to tie the game 1-1 just 24 seconds into play. Defenseman Brayden Crampton also notched an assist on the play, marking his 17th point of the year - passing his 2022-23 total of 16.

Seattle regained the lead at 8:41 in the second, when Kaleb Hartmann scored his first goal of the year to make it a 2-1 game.

Two minutes into the third period, though, overage forward Ty Cheveldayoff won a battle on the boards and got the puck out to Roulette. Roulette again connected with Catton at center ice, who swept it up the wing, around a Thunderbird, and across the front of the net before hammering it home from a sharp angle to make it a 2-2 game.

The Chiefs played one of their best third periods of the season so far - highlighted by Cooper Michaluk stopping a perfect 9-of-9 shots - and eventually forced overtime.

Soon after the puck dropped on extra time, newest Chief Rasmus Ekström stripped the puck away from a Thunderbird in Seattle's zone and Roulette picked it up and broke for the net. The former T-bird won the one-on-one battle with Ratzlaff, chipping the puck over his left shoulder to seal the deal. Ekström picked up his first WHL point with an assist on the play.

Spokane went 0-for-1 on the power play, but a perfect 2-for-2 on the penalty kill. They were barely outshot by the Thunderbirds, 35-34. Michaluk was outstanding in net for Spokane, logging 33 saves on the night and earning second star honors.

Up next, the Chiefs will travel to Kennewick to take on the Tri-City Americans Saturday night at 6:05 p.m.

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