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WHL Spokane Chiefs

Spokane Chiefs Honor Wildfire First Responders, Fall to Rival Americans 3-1 in Rowdy Home Opener

September 30, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Spokane Chiefs News Release


Spokane, Wash - It was a raucous Saturday Night in Spokane as the Chiefs played host to the visiting Tri-City Americans in front of more than 8,100 fans. The night started off with a pre-game party outside and it just continued once the doors opened. The 2023-2024 Spokane Chiefs were introduced one-by-one to the crowd before forming a tunnel of honor and welcoming first responders who battled the recent Medical Lake and Elk wildfires. Fans affected by the fires, as well as first responders, were welcomed to the game tonight as special guests.

On the ice it was a feisty contest from the beginning. The first period saw four penalties with recent NHL Camp returners Ty Cheveldayoff and Saige Weinstein each serving a minor while Smith and Greenway hit the box for the Americans. On a brighter note, it was Brayden Crampton with an absolute rocket through traffic from the left wing who got the scoring started. Chiefs newcomer Conner Roulette tallied his first point in the Spokane Arena this season with an assist on the play. Berkly Catton also had an assist, adding to his team leading point total.

The second period was goal-free but still action packed. Dawson Cowan made several sprawling saves in the frame to keep the Americans off the board, while 8 (!) minor penalties saw players from both teams spend time in the bin. Momentum swung to the visitors in the third period with a goal from Andrew Fan at 5:23. Deagan McMillan tallied the eventual game winner almost exactly halfway through the period and then added an insurance goal for good measure with just over two minutes remaining. McMillan was in the thick of the action all period and registered the only penalty of the frame.

Dawson Cowan was impressive in net despite the result, saving 42 shots and keeping Tri-City scoreless on three man-advantages. The Chiefs hit the target 39 times but only managed the one power play goal early on from Crampton, the fifth of his Chiefs career. He is up to six points on the season including five assists.

- The Chiefs will be back in action at the Spokane Arena on Friday, October 6 to face off against division opponent Seattle Thunderbirds at 7:05 PM. Ticket packages, Chiefs gear, theme night swag, and the latest news are all available at spokanechiefs.com. The Spokane Chiefs are a member of the U.S. Division of the Western Hockey League, the world's finest development league for junior hockey players. Since 1985 the Chiefs have been a pillar in the Spokane community, offering family-friendly entertainment and a winning tradition, which includes: two Memorial Cup Championships

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Western Hockey League Stories from September 30, 2023


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