CHIEFS LOSE IN SEASON FINALE 5-3 AT TRI CITY

The Spokane Chiefs closed out the 2015-16 regular season with a 5-3 loss at arch rival Tri City Saturday night in Kennewick. With the loss, Spokane finished in 4th place in the U.S. Division and 8th in the Western Conference as a result of Portland’s shootout loss in Seattle. The Chiefs won the season series from Tri City 7-5, going 4-2 on home ice and 3-3 in Tri Cities. 

Tri City jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead on a Brandon Carlo goal just 56 seconds into the contest. Morgan Geekie’s goal 4:23 into the game staked the Americans to a 2-0 advantage. Spokane would cut the lead in half on Jacob Cardiff’s 9th goal of the year from Markson Bechtold and Presten Kopeck at 7:24 as Tri took a 2-1 lead after one. Jason Fram’s 12th goal of the season at 2:38 of the second period would bring the Chiefs back even at 2-2. Tri City would re-take the lead on a Parker Bowles power play tally at 5:44 to go up 3-2. Spokane would come back to tie once again as Bechtold scored a power play goal at 19:57 of the period from Kailer Yamamoto and Kopeck to send the Chiefs to the third even at 3.

Tri City would convert their second power play of the third period on a Nolan Yaremko rebound at 11:09 to take the lead for good at 4-3. An empty net goal at 18:28 would cap the scoring as the Chiefs finished 2-2 on their season ending 4 game road trip. The Chiefs finished the season with a record of 33-30-5-4, good for 75 points. Spokane is now tied with Portland for third in the division, but the Winterhawks won the tie break by winning 34 games compared to Spokane’s 33. 

The Chiefs will begin the Western Hockey League playoffs Friday and Saturday against the #1 seed in the Western Conference, the Victoria Royals. Game one will be Friday night at 7:05pm in Victoria, followed by game two the following night at the same time. The series will return to Spokane for games 3 and 4 on Tuesday, March 29 and Wednesday, March 30, with both games at 7:05pm. Mike Boyle will have the call on 1510 KGA starting with the pre-game shows at 6:30pm.