Chiefs dominate Pats 5-2 in front of parents, massive crowd
Spokane, Wash. – The Spokane Chiefs welcomed the Regina Pats to the arena on Friday night for the first time since January of 2020. Current Chiefs and former Regina Pats’ player Layton Feist played just his third career game that night. Tonight was a near sell-out crowd of over 10,100 fans, featuring students, staff, and families from over 70 schools in the Spokane area all part of Shriners Children’s Spokane School Night and Pillowcase Giveaway.
Regina was first on the board with a pair of goals in the early going, from Spencer and Whitehead making it 2-0 halfway through the period.
The game turned with a massive blast from Hayden Paupanekis at 10:59 in the first.
Big Paupi with the Big Slapper and the Chiefs are on the board!
Lukáš Král back in the lineup and back with an assist! #GoChiefsGo pic.twitter.com/b96VIutO4A
— Spokane Chiefs (@spokanechiefs) February 24, 2024
Lukáš Král was instrumental on the play, tying up the defender allowing Paupanekis to put his full weight behind the slapshot for the 8th goal of his young career.
The period ended with the Chiefs trailing 2-1, but Spokane would not look back from there.
Ty Cheveldayoff added his name to the scoresheet halfway through the second period with a power play goal.
Here's a better look at this one!
🚨 Ty Cheveldayoff
🍎 Conner Roulette and Berkly Catton https://t.co/gN8mmS1Wfl pic.twitter.com/TqksENIF3v— Spokane Chiefs (@spokanechiefs) February 24, 2024
Roulette and Catton combined to enter the zone at pace before Cheveldayoff took over and wristed it past the Regina goaltender for Spokane’s tying goal.
The third period opened up with Roulette on the scoresheet again, scoring his 36th of the season.
The feed from Berty, the snipe from Rou 😤
Conner Roulette gives us a 3-2 lead with his 36th goal of the season! Crampton also picks up an assist here.#GoChiefsGo pic.twitter.com/ld4gnaZA2A
— Spokane Chiefs (@spokanechiefs) February 24, 2024
Crampton fed Bertholet who drove past his defender on the right wing before slotting across the ice to Roulette.
With his assist on the play, Bertholet has now reached 200 points (75G,125A) in 216 games across parts of six seasons in his WHL career. He has also surpassed his assist total from last season with 42, and has a career high 1.26 points per game this year.
Ben Bonni would chip in with an insurance goal late in the game, tallying his 6th of the season with a sneaky wraparound.
Shea Van Olm and Nathan Mayes added assists on the play.
Berkly Catton finished off the game with a full length empty net goal fired home with some velocity. Catton’s incredible season continues with two more points tonight.
Tonight’s 5-2 victory was extra sweet as it kicked off parent’s weekend with many of the players’ families in attendance at the game.
After the final whistle the players made a point to salute them and the whole crowd.
Saluting the parents after a big dub 🫶#GoChiefsGo pic.twitter.com/yGxKvaCAEc
— Spokane Chiefs (@spokanechiefs) February 24, 2024
Spokane dominated much of the game, registering 36 shots to just 21 for the Pats. Cowan was excellent in net, making vital saves to keep the momentum building. Spokane was 2/6 on the power play and 4/5 on the penalty kill including a full two minutes of 5-on-3 action.
Roulette and Catton both finished the game with a goal and an assist while the defensive pairing of Weinstein and McIsaac were a combined +5.
Spokane will return to action tomorrow night with a rare bout against the Moose Jaw Warriors for Chiefs Fight Cancer Night presented by Inland Imaging. The team will be wearing specialty jerseys which will be auctioned off throughout the game at the main concourse with proceeds benefitting Every Woman Can.
Limited tickets are still available here.
