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WHL Spokane Chiefs

Third Period Outburst Pushes Spokane to Win

September 12, 2015 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Spokane Chiefs News Release


SPOKANE, Wash - The Spokane Chiefs bounced back from a 3-0 deficit with five goals in the third period to defeat the Red Deer Rebels 5-3 in Kennewick on Saturday afternoon. Chiefs' forward Markson Bechtold led the way with two power play goals while 16-year-old Jaret Anderson-Dolan chipped in one goal and two assists.

Red Deer winger Austin Pratt scored his second goal of the preseason to open the scoring just over 14 minutes into the opening period. Former Chiefs' defenseman Colton Bobyk earned an assist on the power play score.

The Rebels added another power play goal at the 5:23 mark of the second period as blueliner Josh Mahura put the puck past starting goaltender Tyson Verhelst. They added a third goal with a man advantage just 1:03 into the third period, this time from forward Grayson Pawlenchuk, to extend their lead to 3-0. Preston Kopeck, formerly of the Portland Winterhawks, and Ivan Nikolishin, formerly of the Everett Silvertips, assisted on the play.

The Chiefs roared back under a minute later as Bechtold scored his first of the night on a power play, assisted by Anderson-Dolan and Kailer Yamamoto. The same trio paired up again at the 8:43 mark for Spokane's third goal, after Curtis Miske scored his third of the preseason for Spokane's second of the night at the 5:47 mark.

Overage forward Riley Whittingham scored his first of the 2015 exhibition slate to give Spokane a 4-3 lead with assists from Kailer Yamamoto and Bechtold.

Anderson-Dolan gave the Chiefs some insurance with 2:40 left in regulation, capping the scoring off assists from Keanu Yamamoto and rookie defenseman Jeff Faith.

Specialty units were important on Saturday night, with seven of the game's eight goals coming on the power play. Red Deer finished 3-for-4 with a man advantage while the Chiefs were 4-for-6.

The Chiefs split time in goal, with starter Tyson Verhelst making eight saves on 10 shots in 29:39 on the ice. Garret Hughson hopped in halfway through the game and made 12 stops on 13 chances in 30:31. Rebels' starting goalie Trevor Martin made 27 saves on the night.

The Chiefs will open their regular season against the Tri-City Americans on September 26 with Bud Light Opening Night at Spokane Arena. Individual tickets are on sale now through TicketsWest at (800) 325-SEAT and online at www.ticketswest.com. Tickets packages, including the brand new Saturday Game of the Month package, and group opportunities are available through the Chiefs' Ticket Office at (509) 535-PUCK and online at www.spokanechiefs.com.

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