Wild goal fest ends in OT as Spokane officially falls out of playoff contention
Spokane, WA – The Spokane Chiefs claimed a point in a wild 5-4 goal fest that ultimately ended in overtime. Kelowna jumped out to an early lead on the first power play of the game at 6:37 of the first. Gabriel Szturc claimed the goal with a fierce rip from the right side after a cross ice pass from star man Andrew Cristall. Elias Carmichael kept the goals coming for the Rockets just roughly 90 seconds later with Szturc picking up an assist along with Adam Kydd. Kelowna scored two goals in the second period as well, with Marcus Pacheco scoring his 10th of the season at 1:03. It was the only Rockets goal of the night that Szturc was not involved with. Dylan Wightman made it 4-0 at 6:37 on another power play chance.
Spokane would not go down lightly. Cade Hayes scored for the second consecutive night and his third goal over his last four games. Hayes claimed the puck and sniped it home as he drifted across the center of the Rockets zone.
QUICK DRAW CADE!!!
Hayser gets us on the board with his 20th of the season! Apple for Tommy De Luca, it's 4-1 at 13:18.#GoChiefsGo pic.twitter.com/0Hv4F0fy8m
— Spokane Chiefs (@spokanechiefs) March 12, 2023
Hayes and De Luca were involved in the next Spokane goal as well, but this time it was Carter Streek finding the twine. Spokane appeared to score but a scrum out front muddled the view of the official. After review the play was called good and Spokane had suddenly halved the deficit with a power play goal.
After review, this one is GOOD! 👍
Just like that it's a two-goal game as Streek gets a ppg to make it 4-2 at 15:43. Helpers for Hayes and De Luca!#GoChiefsGo pic.twitter.com/RBZSxw7rLP
— Spokane Chiefs (@spokanechiefs) March 12, 2023
Jaren Brinson scored the Chiefs’ third goal of the period in less than a five minute span. A smooth three-on-two break resulted in a point blank shot that was saved. In the ensuing chaos McIsaac found Brinson with a slick feed and the d-man found the net for the third time this season. Rookie Berkly Catton hit the stat sheet with an assist on the play. The two teams would head to the second intermission with the Rockets on their heels but still leading 4-3.
Catton was not satisfied just passing the puck, and tied it up himself late in the game. He snapped in a shot from nearly the red line on the goalie’s right side, equaling the game at four goals each. For the rookie it was his 20th goal of the season. He continues to climb the 16-year-old player record books for Spokane and sits alone at 4th in goals, 6th in assists, and tied for 5th in points.
We didn't know you could score from this angle. Yet here's Berkly Catton, proving us all wrong. @spokanechiefs pic.twitter.com/9RfsCnM6XS
— The WHL (@TheWHL) March 12, 2023
An intense scrum ensued at the final whistle of regulation, resulting in Spokane short a man for the entire overtime period. At 2:24 of OT the game ended as it began, with a Szturc goal from an Andrew Cristall assist. The 5-4 victory claimed the points for Kelowna, clinching a playoff birth and officially eliminating Spokane from contention this season.
The Chiefs outshot the Rockets 41-25 in front of over 7,500 rowdy Spokane fans. Kelowna was 2/5 on the power play with the Chiefs scoring once out of four attempts with a man advantage. Overall there were 18 penalties called in this tight-fought contest.
Spokane hits the road to play for a third straight day in Everett tomorrow afternoon followed by a Tuesday night bout in Portland. It will be the Chiefs’ fourth game in five nights.
Spokane returns home for a special St. Paddy’s Day game on Friday, March 17th.
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The Chiefs’ next home game is Friday, March 17 against the Tri-City Americans. It is the Miller Lite St. Paddy’s Day Jersey Giveaway. Tickets for March 17 and all regular season games are available online at spokanechiefs.com/tickets. Make sure to use your Flex Pack Tickets and Never-A-Wasted Tickets before the end of the season, as they do not carry over to next season.
The Spokane Chiefs are a member of the U.S. Division of the Western Hockey League, the world’s finest development league for junior hockey players. Since 1985 the Chiefs have been a pillar in the Spokane community, offering family-friendly entertainment and a winning tradition, which includes: two Memorial Cup Championships in 1991 & 2008, two WHL Championships in 1991 & 2008 and four Western Conference Championships in 1991, 1996, 2000 & 2008. Over 60 alumni have gone on to play in the National Hockey League.
