Chiefs drop Game 3, take 2-1 series lead into Game 4
Spokane, Wash. – The Chiefs played host to the Vancouver Giants on Wednesday night in Game 3 of the first round of the WHL Playoffs presented by Nutrien. Spokane won both games in Vancouver to open the playoffs by a combined score of 11-6, including a hat trick from rookie, Mathis Preston.
It was the visitors with a strong start to Game 3, with a goal from Halaburda less than two minutes into the first. Hoilett doubled Vancouver’s lead with another score at 7:01.
Spokane answered with a late score from defenseman Saige Weinstein.
Saige Weinstein gets us on the board at 19:23!!! Assists go to Sarkenov and Oremba!#GoChiefsGo | #WHLPlayoffs | #FeedingTheFuture pic.twitter.com/nh71qsHOqO
— x – Spokane Chiefs (@spokanechiefs) April 3, 2025
After a net front scramble the puck came back to the blue line where Weinstein fired it through a crowd for the score.
Spokane scored the only goal of the second at 9:21 after Rasmus Ekström clipped home a rebound.
EKSTRÖM WITH THE EQUALIZER, IT’S 2-2!#GoChiefsGo | #WHLPlayoffs | #FeedingTheFuture pic.twitter.com/wUOAV8tQDu
— x – Spokane Chiefs (@spokanechiefs) April 3, 2025
Oremba and Sarkenov combined to force a save but Spokane’s Swede was quickest to react, scoring his first of the postseason.
After two periods the Chiefs led the shot count 34-19 with the score tied at two goals apiece.
Vancouver stole the lead at 10:21 of the third with a deflected shot squeezing past Dawson Cowan in goal.
Spokane poured on the pressure late in the gate, earning a power play and pulling Cowan for the 6-on-4 advantage. The Chiefs were not able to find the tying goal and dropped Game 3 by a score of 3-2.
The Chiefs were 0/2 on the power play, 4/4 on the penalty kill, and fired 43 shots to Vancouver’s 22. Andrew Cristall is expected to return to the Chiefs lineup after serving a one-game suspension in Game 3.
The two teams will play Game 4 tomorrow night at 7:05 PM and Game 5 on Saturday at 6:05 PM. Tickets for both games are available now at www.spokanechiefs.com/playoffs.
