Chiefs outlast Thunderbirds in shootout | WHL

For the Reporter

The Spokane Chiefs defeated the Seattle Thunderbirds on Tuesday night, winning 3-2 in a shootout at the ShoWare Center.

Seattle drops to 4-3-0-1 on the season, while Spokane improves to 3-1-2-0.

The Chiefs appeared to score 31 seconds into overtime. Adam Helewka’s shot made its way through a pile of bodies in the crease and bounced off the inside of the crossbar. The no-goal call stood upon review, however, extending the game. It was the best chance of the scoreless overtime.

Shots in overtime were 4-1 Spokane and faceoffs were 5-2 Spokane.

Helewka scored the only goal of the shootout on the Chief’s second shot. Helewka went wide on Kozun and got the goalie on his belly before flipping the puck in to win the game.

Taran Kozun made his seventh appearance for the T-Birds and took the loss after stopping 32 of 34 shots. Kozun’s loss makes his record 4-2-0-1. In goal for Spokane was Garret Hughson, who had 22 saves on 24 shots and stopped all three Seattle shooters in the shootout to get the win. Hughson is now 3-1-2-0 on the season.

Mathew Barzal gave Seattle a 1-0 lead. The center pushed the puck past the defense and beat them to it to create a breakaway. Barzal then deked to his left and flipped a backhand shot into the net at 18:22 for the shorthanded goal. There were no assists. The goal gave Barzal a four-game goal streak to go along with his five-game point streak.

Spokane scored 3:51 into the second period to tie the game. A rush by Kailer Yamamoto led to a pass through the top of the crease as the winger flew past the net. The puck found Blair Oneschuk on the other side, who was able to get the shot off before Kozun could complete his slide over to make it 1-1. Yamamoto had the only assist.

Ryan Gropp gave the T-Birds the lead again at 11:20. Gropp rushed up the ice on the outside before cutting into the slot and letting loose with a shot. The puck burned a trail over Hughson shoulder and into the top of the net, making it 2-1. There were no assists on the goal. Gropp’s goal extended his point streak to five games, matching Barzal’s current streak for the T-Birds’ best of the season.

Riley Whittingham tied the game once again with 4:31 left in the second period. Whittingham’s power-play goal came when Calder Brooks zipped a pass from the post to Whittingham on the other side of the net. Kozun made a valiant effort to get across the crease in time but it was for naught, with Whittingham getting his second of the season to make it 2-2.

The second period ended with Seattle a man down for another 48 seconds. Shots were 11-8 Seattle. Faceoffs were 11-9 Spokane.

Next up

The T-Birds visit Spokane at 7 p.m. Wednesday to play the Chiefs. Seattle then hosts the Prince George Cougars at 7:35 p.m. Friday and the Kamloops Blazers at 7:05 p.m. Saturday.

Tickets are available online at the T-Birds website and at the ShoWare Center box office. The ShoWare Center Box Office is open Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday game days at 10 a.m. and Sunday game days at noon.

Season tickets can be purchased by calling the T-Birds office at 253-239-7825.

SCORING SUMMARY

First period – 1, Seattle, Barzal 4 (unassisted), 18:22 (sh). Penalties – Hauf, Seattle (roughing), 6:40. McAndrews, Spokane (roughing), 6:40. Bear, Seattle (major-fighting), 11:13. Whittingham, Spokane (major-fighting), 11:13. Whittingham, Spokane (roughing), 11:13. Khaira, Seattle (double minor-roughing), 15:20. McAndrews, Spokane (double minor-roughing), 15:20. Hauf, Seattle (major-checking to the head, game misconduct), 17:25.

Second period – 2, Spokane, Oneschuk 1 (Ka.Yamamoto), 3:51. 3, Seattle, Gropp 5 (unassisted), 11:20. 4, Spokane, Whittingham 2 (Brooks, Helewka), 15:29 (pp). Penalties – Ka.Yamamoto, Spokane (slashing), 4:25. Barzal, Seattle (tripping), 14:26. Eansor, Seattle (kneeing), 18:48.

Third period – No scoring. Penalties – Hickman, Seattle (unsportsmanlike conduct), 9:28. McAndrews, Spokane (unsportsmanlike conduct), 9:28. Volcan, Seattle (roughing), 17:07. Fiala, Spokane (roughing), 17:07.

Overtime – No scoring. Penalties – No penalties.

Shootout – Seattle 0 (Barzal NG, Kolesar NG, Neuls NG), Spokane 1 (Miske NG, Helewka G).

Shots on goal – Seattle 4-11-8-1-0 24, Spokane 10-8-12-4-1 35. Goalies – Seattle, Kozun 34 shots-32 saves (4-2-0-1); Spokane, Hughson 24-22 (3-1-2-0). Power plays – Seattle 0-2; Spokane 1-3. A – 4,105. Referees – Brett Iverson, Mike Campbell. Linesmen – Tim Digby, Al Creigh.