Chiefs bow out of playoffs with hard-fought 3-2 defeat to top-rated Cougars
Spokane, Wash. – The Chiefs hosted the Cougars on Wednesday night in Game 4 of the first round of the Western Hockey League Playoffs, looking to keep their season alive with their backs against the wall. Mathis Preston (3rd overall selection in the ’23 WHL Draft) was in the lineup for the Chiefs as was Swedish import Rasmus Ekström, who returned to action for the first time since suffering an injury on February 23rd versus Regina.
The first period was a tense, even affair with Prince George drawing first blood at 10:14 thanks to a Kmec goal, assisted by Parascak and Becher.
Spokane would kick off a busy second period, answering the score just minutes into the frame.
ROUUUUU!!! 1-1!!#GoChiefsGo pic.twitter.com/tBCOHrG5LR
— x – Spokane Chiefs (@spokanechiefs) April 4, 2024
Chiefs’ overager Conner Roulette picked up the loose change in front of the net and managed to get it past the Cougar goaltender, tying the game at one. Berkly Catton and Brayden Crampton teamed up to provide the assists.
Prince George would snag the lead back with a pair of goals from Ziemmer and then Funk to make it a 3-1 game just over halfway through the second period.
Conner Roulette would spin the wheel for a second time at the 13:10 mark, adding his second of the night and third of the playoffs.
SPIN IT AGAIN!!!
Conner Roulette makes it 3-2 with his second of the night!#GoChiefsGo | #WHLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/NanQZKJt4Y
— x – Spokane Chiefs (@spokanechiefs) April 4, 2024
Berkly Catton provided his fourth assist of the series with Saige Weinstein picking up the other helper on the play.
Spokane pushed for a late equalizer, forcing several prime chances on net and pulling netminder Dawson Cowan as time ebbed away.
Ultimately, it was the Cougars who held onto their advantage in the game and the series, advancing to the second round of the 2024 Western Hockey League Playoffs.
Spokane finished the game 0/3 on the power play, 2/3 on the penalty kill, and 32 shots on goal. Dawson Cowan made 28 saves in goal for the Chiefs.
Tonight marked the final game of the junior career for three Spokane Chiefs’ players.
Conner Roulette closed out his career with 259 regular season games and 287 points (118G-169A). He played an additional 47 playoff games with 28 playoff points (11G-17A).
Chase Bertholet finished his time in the WHL with 230 games and 207 points (78G-129A). Bertholet played 8 playoff games with 2 points (2A).
Ty Cheveldayoff played his entire career in Spokane, racking up 194 games and 99 points (43G-56A). He played in 8 playoff games with one goal scored.
Berkly Catton finished the regular season with 116 points (54G-62A), second most for a 17-year-old in Spokane Chiefs history.
Up next, focus will turn to the the U.S. Priority Draft (May 8), WHL Prospects Draft (May 9), and NHL Entry Draft (June 28-29). Early bird ticket renewals are available for Spokane Chiefs ticket packages for the 2024-25 WHL season at SpokaneChiefs.com.
