Two late goals lift Chiefs
Published on January 14, 2007 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Spokane Chiefs News Release
The Spokane Chiefs scored two goals in the third period to come from behind and beat the Tri-City Americans 2-1 on Saturday night in front of the biggest crowd of the season in the Spokane Arena. 9,231 fans saw Spokane break a tie with the Americans for third place and move even with second place Seattle, 3-2 losers on Saturday to Brandon.
Tri-City's Colton Yellow Horn scored on a deflection at 8:22 of the first period for a 1-0 lead. T.J. Fast floated a puck towards the net and Yellow Horn tipped it out of mid air and past the right hand of Chiefs starter Kevin Armstrong. The goal would be the only blemish of the night for the 18-year-old who won on back-to-back nights allowing one goal each game. Armstrong made 23 saves in a 4-1 win last night versus Chilliwack and stopped 33 shots on Saturday, including 12 in the third.
The second period went scoreless as Spokane went 0-3 on the power play (0-6 on the night) and the Americans outshot the Chiefs 11-7.
The Chiefs tied it up on a Derek Ryan goal from the post, his 16th of the season, at 10:48 of the third. Drayson Bowman had the assist.
The game winner was scored at 14:30 by David Rutherford. The 19-year-old picked up the loose puck on the right side and lifted it under the cross bar. Play went on as the goal light was lit. After the next stoppage the referee, Andy Thiessen, conferred with the goal judge and ruled that the puck crossed the line.
Armstrong and Tri-City goaltender Carey Price (30 saves) were awarded first and second stars and Bowman earned the third.
Spokane went scoreless on the power play and was shorthanded just once on the night.
The game was the seventh out of eight games that have been decided by one goal between Spokane and Tri-City and the win was the third this year for the Chiefs. Spokane now stands at 23-15-3-2 record and 51 points.
Saturday was the last of five straight in the Spokane Arena for the Chiefs. Monday will be the first of eight in a row on the road as Spokane will travel to Portland to take on the Winter Hawks at 2:00 pm. Mike Boyle will go on the air at 1:30 with Comcast Hockey Tonight on KJRB 790 the Fan.
The Chiefs will then travel to the East Division beginning on Friday, January 19th in Brandon. Spokane will play seven games in nine nights, finishing with a trip through Cranbrook to take on the Central Division's Ice.
The Chiefs will not return to the Spokane Arena until Wednesday, January 31st when they host Chilliwack.
Tickets for all home games are available by calling the Chiefs office at (509) 535-PUCK or TicketsWest at (800) 325-SEAT.
Western Hockey League Stories from January 14, 2007
- Warriors defeat T-Birds - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Two late goals lift Chiefs - Spokane Chiefs
- Everett's Big Guns Get It Done over Hard-Working Hawks, 5-2 - Portland Winterhawks
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