Yamamoto’s OT Winner Caps Wild Comeback in Everett
EVERETT, Wash. – Kailer Yamamoto scored on a rebound 2:58 into overtime to lift the Spokane Chiefs to a wild come-from-behind 2-1 victory over the U.S. Division-leading Everett Silvertips on Friday night in Everett. Yamamoto’s 11th goal of the season was his second game-winner in overtime this year as the Chiefs improved to 4-0-2 on their seven-game road trip.
Everett took a 1-0 lead midway through the first period on a Garrett Pilon goal, as the veteran forward redirected a Riley Sutter feed for his 26th of the season. Spokane outshot Everett 13-10 in the period and killed off two Silvertip power play chances.
Chiefs goalie Dawson Weatherill shined in the second period, turning aside all 17 Everett shots to keep Spokane within one goal heading into the third. The Chiefs killed off the only power play from the Silvertips midway through the third to keep it a 1-0 game.
Spokane pulled Weatherill in the final 2:30 minutes of regulation and were rewarded as Jaret Anderson-Dolan finished off a Hudson Elynuik, firing a shot from between the circles at 18:11 of the third to tie the game at one.
The Chiefs had dropped an overtime decision in their last game at Everett two weeks earlier, but Yamamoto exacted some revenge on the Silvertips as he corralled the rebound of a Ty Smith shot off the end wall and backhanded the rolling puck under the pads of Silvertips goalie Carter Hart. Weatherill picked up his 16th win of the season with 38 saves, earning second star honors. [related_links]
The Chiefs’ win cuts Everett’s lead in the season series to 4-3. Spokane moved into third place in the U.S. Division, past Tri-City and Seattle. Spokane now has 63 points, one ahead of both the Americans and Thunderbirds after 53 games this season.
The Chiefs will now head to Tri-City to close out their season long seven-game road trip as they visit the Americans Saturday at 7:05 p.m. Mike Boyle will have the call on 94.1 FM the Bear with the pre-game show starting at 6:30 pm. Fans can watch LIVE on SWX, available on Comcast channel 112 or over-the-air 6.2.
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Spokane’s next home game is Sunday, February 11 versus the Everett Silvertips at 5:05 p.m. It will be Special Olympics Night at the Arena as the Chiefs recognize local Special Olympics athletes from our community. Tickets for Sunday night and all Chiefs home games are available in-person at the Chiefs’ Ticket Office, over the phone at 509-535-PUCK and online at spokanechiefs.com.
