
Spokane Drops Heartbreaker in OT, Rematch in Portland Tomorrow
December 16, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Spokane Chiefs News Release
Spokane, Wash - Spokane played host to the Portland Winterhawks in front of a rowdy Friday night crowd of over 5,100 people, falling in heartbreaking fashion 6-5 in overtime.
It was Berkly Catton continuing his hot streak who opened the scoring at 1:52 in the first, with a shorthanded goal.
Portland would answer back with two first period goals, from Stefan and Buttazzoni, to take a 2-1 lead into the first intermission.
Marcus Nguyen would find the net with a shorthanded goal of his own unassisted at 3:31 in the second to make it 3-1 Portland.
The Chiefs would fight back thanks to the fourth of the year from overager Ty Cheveldayoff.
Bonni and Ekström provided the helpers on the play but the Chiefs were not done there. Berkly Catton would add a second shorthanded goal with just three seconds remaining in the period to tie it up at three goals apiece.
From there the score would bounce back and forth. Conner Roulette scored to take the lead for the Chiefs, followed by a Jack O'Brien Portland goal to tie it again.
Defenseman Brayden Crampton scored his third of the year to take the lead again with less than three minutes remaining, but it was Portland who tied it yet again. The Winterhawks pulled their goalie and made the extra man count with a goal from Josh Davies.
The game would head to overtime with the score tied at 5 before James Stefan ultimately found the winner for Portland.
Portland totaled 48 shots to 33 for Spokane. The Chiefs went 0-3 on the power play and gave up a shorthanded goal, but went 5/6 on the penalty kill with two shorthanded goals for Catton.
Catton finished the night with two goals and was a +2. Conner Roulette scored one goal, had three assists, and finished with a +1.
Spokane will travel to Portland to play again tomorrow night with the game broadcast on SWX at 7 PM. The Chiefs will return to the Spokane Arena on Wednesday, December 27th for another TicketsWest Player Magnet Giveaway.
Western Hockey League Stories from December 16, 2023
- Broncos Double up Oil Kings in Edmonton - Swift Current Broncos
- Cougars Conclude First Half in Langley - Prince George Cougars
- Chiefs Wrap up First Half on the Road against Winterhawks - Spokane Chiefs
- Game Day Preview: Game 32 vs Lethbridge - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Game Day Hub: December 16 vs. Spokane - Portland Winterhawks
- Funk and Heidt Lead Cougars to 6-3 Win over Wenatchee - Prince George Cougars
- Wild Fall Victim to Cool Start Friday against Prince George in 6-3 Loss - Wenatchee Wild
- Hawks Win OT Thriller 6-5 Over Spokane - Portland Winterhawks
- Pats Begin Road Trip with 5-2 Win - Regina Pats
- Spokane Drops Heartbreaker in OT, Rematch in Portland Tomorrow - Spokane Chiefs
- Tigers Drop 4-3 Decision to Hitmen - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Oil Kings Fall to Broncos - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Hitmen Edge Tigers, 4-3 - Calgary Hitmen
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