The Spokane Chiefs defeated the Seattle Thunderbirds 8-2 Dec. 14 at the ShoWare Center.
Spokane (18-9-2-2) opened the scoring 9:14 into the first period on Michael Aviani’s fifth goal of the season. Collin Valcourt had the only assist.
The T-Birds tied the game 1-1 at 17:43 of the first period on Travis Toomey’s fourth goal of the season. After a hard check by Brenden Dillon forced a turnover at the Spokane blue line, Brendan Rouse gained control of the puck and carried it down the right boards. Rouse left the puck for Burke Gallimore, who carried the puck through the right circle and put a backhand shot on Spokane goalie James Reid from the slot. Reid made the initial save, but Toomey found the loose puck and put a high backhand into the back of the net over the sprawling Spokane goalie.
After one period of play, the game was tied 1-1 and Spokane held a 13-10 lead in shots.
The Chiefs took a 2-1 lead at 6:50 of the second period on Mitch Holmberg’s seventh goal of the season. Marek Kalus and Aviani were credited with the assists.
Spokane extended their lead to 3-1 on a shorthanded goal by Tyler Johnson at 12:34 of the second period. Brenden Kichton had the only assist.
After two periods, the Chiefs held the advantage in shots, 24-23.
Dominik Uher extended Spokane’s lead to 4-1 at 3:17 of the third period on a power-play goal, his fifth goal of the season. Levko Koper and Johnson had the assists.
The Chiefs furthered their advantage to 5-1 on Brady Brassart’s third goal of the season at 7:17 of the third period. Matt Marantz had the only assist.
Seattle (13-11-3-4) cut Spokane’s lead to 5-2 on Colin Jacobs’ 14th goal of the season. Dillon gained control of the puck in the neutral zone after a Spokane clearing and made a pass to Burke Gallimore, who carried it up the right boards into the Spokane zone. Gallimore made a drop pass to Jacobs at the top of the right circle that Jacobs one-timed over the glove of Reid.
Marantz’s seventh goal of the season gave Spokane a 6-2 lead at 11:02 of the third period. Valcourt and Corbin Baldwin had the assists.
Spokane extended their lead to 7-2 on Valcourt’s fourth goal of the season. Brassart and Tyler Vanscourt registered assists on the goal.
The Chiefs went ahead 8-2 on Steve Kuhn’s 8th goal of the season. Baldwin and Kichton had assists on the goal.
Seattle goalie Michael Salmon (0-2-1-0) made saves on 28 of 36 shots during his 54:39 in net. Rookie Daniel Cotton, making his WHL debut while Calvin Pickard is at tryouts for Canada’s World Junior team, came in for Salmon with 5:21 remaining in the third period and stopped both of the shots that he faced.
Spokane goalie James Reid (18-7-1-1) made 24 saves on 26 shots during his 54:39 of ice time. Mac Engel substituted for Reid with 5:21 remaining in the third period and stopped the only shot that he faced.
SCORING SUMMARY
First period – 1, Spokane, Aviani 6 (Valcourt), 9:14. 2, Seattle, Toomey 4 (Rouse, Gallimore), 17:43. Penalties – Baldwin, Spo (interference), 0:24. Elliott, Sea (cross-checking), 6:54. Kramer, Spo (major-fighting), 18:45. Ramsay, Sea (major-fighting), 18:45.
Second period – 3, Spokane, Holmberg 7 (Kalus, Aviani), 6:50. 4, Spokane, Johnson 23 (Kichton), 12:34 (sh). Penalties – Brassart, Spo (hooking), 3:16. Kalus, Spo (double-minor high-sticking), 10:41.
Third period – 5, Spokane, Uher 5 (Koper, Johnson), 3:17 (pp). 6, Spokane, Brassart 3 (Marantz), 7:17. 7, Seattle, Jacobs 14 (Gallimore, Dillon), 8:49. 8, Spokane, Marantz 7 (Valcourt, Baldwin), 11:02. 9, Spokane, Valcourt 4 (Brassart, Vanscourt), 11:25. 10, Kuhn 8 (Baldwin, Kichton), 14:39. Penalties – Hickman, Sea (tripping), 2:40. Miller, Spo (major-fighting), 12:32. Lund, Sea (unsportsmanlike conduct, major-fighting), 12:32. Wells, Sea (high-sticking), 17:46. Valcourt, Spo (major-fighting), 19:50. Ramsay, Sea (roughing, major-fighting), 19:50.
Shots on goal – Seattle 10-14-3 27. Spokane 13-10-15 38. Goalies – Seattle, Salmon 36 shots-28 saves (0-2-1-0) Cotton 2-2; Spokane, Reid 26-24 (18-7-1-1) Engel 1-1. Power plays – Seattle 0-3; Spokane 1-5. A – 3,091. Referee – Brett Iverson, Jeff Ingram. Linesmen – Kiel Murchison, Adam Brastad.
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