CHIEFS COMEBACK BID FALLS SHORT IN KAMLOOPS

KAMLOOPS, BC — A comeback from a three goal second period deficit fell just short for the Spokane Chiefs Wednesday night as the Kamloops Blazers held off Spokane 5-4 in Kamloops, B.C. The Chiefs suffered back to back losses for the first time this year with the defeat.

Kamloops took a 1-0 lead on a Matt Needham shorthanded goal late in the first period. It was the first shorthanded goal surrendered by Spokane this season. The Blazers would score two goals 35 seconds apart early in the second period to go up 3-0. Chiefs starting goalie Garret Hughson was relieved by Eric Williams, and the Chiefs began their comeback. Adam Helewka scored his 3rd goal of the year at 8:53 to cut the lead to 3-1. Carter Proft then one-timed a Riley Whittingham pass at 17:15 of the period for his 2nd goal of the season to make it a 3-2 game. Mitch Holmberg would then bring Spokane even with his league leading 18th goal at 19:59 on assists from Mike Aviani and Jason Fram to tie the game at 3 after two periods. The goal by Holmberg extended his league leading points streak to 16 games in a row.

Kamloops would re-take the lead on a goal at 7:07 of the third, but Helewka would tie the game at four with his second goal of the night, from Fram and Reid Gow at 9:52 of the third. The Blazers would strike back just 29 seconds later though on Aspen Sterzer’s second goal of the evening at 10:21 for the eventual game winner. Spokane outshot Kamloops 35-31 in the game, going 0-2 on the power play and 3-3 on the penalty kill.

The Chiefs will play at Vancouver Friday night at 7:30pm. Mike Boyle will have the call on 1510 KGA, beginning with the pre-game show at 7pm.