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WHL Spokane Chiefs

Spokane Chiefs Punch Ticket to the Dance with Thrilling 7-6 Finish

March 17, 2024 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Spokane Chiefs News Release


Spokane, Wash. - The Chiefs hosted the Americans on Saturday night for the ninth matchup between local rivals so far this season. It was Spokane's Saint Paddy's Day celebration with the team wearing specialty jerseys, playing with specialty pucks, and auctioning off the game-worn jerseys with proceeds benefitting Big Table Spokane.

It was an emotional opening to proceedings with Spokane honoring Ty Cheveldayoff, Chase Bertholet, and Conner Roulette who are all closing out their 20-year-old WHL season. They skated out to center ice one-by-one, delivering flowers to their family members who made the journey to Spokane for the game.

Once the game started it was Spokane who jumped out to an early 2-0 lead. Shea Van Olm was first on the board with his 22nd of the season at 4:!4.

Van Olm drifted down the left slot before sliding in front of net for the backhand flick to make it 1-0.

Conner Roulette added a second roughly 90 seconds later.

Weinstein whipped it across the net front, finding Roulette who put it away with no mistake.

Parker Bell would pull a goal back for Tri-City late in the period, his first of the night and 31st of the season. The Americans would go on to net three times in the second period, jumping out to a 4-2 lead thanks to two more goals from Bell and another from Sloan.

The Chiefs did not wilt, scoring their third of the night at 15:20 of the second.

Van Olm and Bonni combined to find Carter Streek attacking the net at speed for his 8th of the year.

Spokane's fourth goal could not come at a better time as Catton netted his 52nd goal of the year with just three seconds remaining in the period.

With an assist on the play, Conner Roulette also hit the century mark with 100 points on the season.

With Roulette scoring his 100th point of the season, he and Catton become the first pair of Chiefs players to reach the mark since three players hit 100 in the '93-94 season.

The third period was a nail biter with both teams stretching the ice and finding chance after chance. First, the Americans scored to make it 5-4 with a goal from Gavin.

Owen Martin would strike next, picking up a loose puck behind the goal and sneaking it into a wide-open net.

Once again, the Americans would take the lead, scoring their sixth goal, this time from Lukas Dragicevic.

The Chiefs would not go away quietly, scoring a late tying goal at 17:38 from star-man Berkly Catton. His second goal and third point of the night was enough to send the game towards overtime.

As the clock wound down, Spokane went on the attack.

Catton carried the puck through the faceoff dot before sliding it over to Will McIsaac for the game winning blast with just seconds remaining.

As Coach Smith saw it from the bench, it was an excellent all-around effort, "The play was made a little earlier than Willy's shot, it was a great shot and fantastic finish. The guys had good o-zone time and rotated. He took advantage of an opportunity to slide in the back side and Berkly made a play, from there it was in the back of the net."

With two goals and two assists on the night, Berkly Catton knew his teammates left it all out there on the ice, "I think going into that third period, especially all the returning guys from last year, did not want to lose that game. Winning that game was something we expected, almost, and I think that is how hard we played and I think it showed."

Spokane tallied 53 shots to just 22 for the Americans, going 2/4 on the power play and 2/3 on the penalty kill.

The Chiefs showcased a balanced scoring threat, with 11 different players scoring at least a point. Catton led the way with 4 points (2G-2A, +1) with Conner Roulette trailing right behind at 3 points (1G-2A, +2). Crampton, Streek, McIsaac, Van Olm, and Martin all tallied two points each.

With the win tonight, Spokane officially clinched a playoff spot after missing the post season a year ago. The final three games of the season will determine who the Chiefs play in the first round.

Up next the team faces Wenatchee in the final home game of the regular season on Sunday at 5:05 pm for the Coeur d'Alene Casino Rally Towel Giveaway and Family Feast Night.

Check out the Spokane Chiefs Statistics



Western Hockey League Stories from March 17, 2024


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