Cristall shines in return to Kelowna as Chiefs top Rockets on Wednesday Night in The Dub
Kelowna, B.C. – Andrew Cristall was the man of the hour, registering two goals and two assists in his return to Kelowna, as the Spokane Chiefs knocked off the Rockets by a 10-0 margin on Wednesday Night in The Dub.
Seattle Kraken prospect and Chiefs captain Berkly Catton enjoyed a standout performance, completing the hat trick in the dying seconds of regulation to cap off a four-point night of his own (3G-1A).
In net, it was veteran netminder Dawson Cowan making 27 saves for his fourth shutout of the season.
The Chiefs got off to a quick start Wednesday night, as rookie star Mathis Preston opened the scoring midway through the first period. From the high slot, the Penticton product sent a laser to the top shelf, registering his 14th goal of the campaign.
In his return to Kelowna, the 5-foot-10 Cristall didn’t waste any time finding the back of the net, scoring to give Spokane a 2-0 lead with 2:53 to go in the period. Catton, the 5-foot-10 product of Saskatoon, Sask., sailed a long backhand pass from the Chiefs defensive end, connecting with Cristall in the neutral zone. The Washington Capitals prospect and product of Burnaby, B.C., took it from there, burning down the right wing before zipping a quick wrist shot past Rockets goaltender Rhett Stoesser for his 30th of the season.
Catton and Cristall continued to wreak havoc, with the former Rocket setting up his new Chiefs linemate for his 16th goal of the season, giving Spokane a 3-0 lead only 58 seconds into the second period.
Chase Harrington, a 6-foot product of Prince George, B.C., extended the Chiefs lead 58 seconds later, scoring his 11th of the campaign. Sam Oremba then padded the visitors advantage further, making it 5-0. Oremba’s 13th goal of the season ended the night for Stoesser, as Jake Pilon entered the blue paint for the Rockets.
But the Chiefs weren’t done.
Once again, Cristall took a long lead pass, breaking in alone before snapping a quick wrist shot low blocker side to beat Pilon for his second goal of the night and the Chiefs carried a commanding 6-0 lead into the second intermission.
The third period was more of the same.
Harrington recorded his second goal of the night on the man advantage midway through the third period, giving Spokane a 7-0 lead.
Brody Gillespie piled on less than a minute later, making it 8-0 with his fourth goal of the season.
Catton collected his second goal of the night with a nice individual effort, working his way from the right wall to the middle of the circle before snapping a shot to the top corner for his 17th goal of the season.
The Chiefs captain completed the hat trick with a perfect shot from the left circle, going low glove side on Pilon to make it 10-0. Cristall registered his second assist of the evening.
By the end of the night, Catton had secured four points (3G-1A), as did Cristall (2G-2A).
Cristall was named first star for his efforts, with Cowan named second star and Catton third star.
The Chiefs also enjoyed multipoint efforts from Harrington (2G-1A), St. Louis Blues prospect Will McIsaac (2A), Colorado Avalanche prospect Saige Weinstein (2A), Oremba (1G-1A), and Preston (1G-1A).
Next up, the Chiefs will host the Prince George Cougars in an important Western Conference clash this Friday, January 17 (7:05 p.m. PT).
For the Rockets, they return to action Friday, January 17 (7:05 p.m. PT) when they welcome the Seattle Thunderbirds to Prospera Place.
Wednesday Night in The Dub heads south of the border next week when the Spokane Chiefs host the U.S. Division-leading Everett Silvertips for a colossal clash of WHL titans. Tune in for FREE on WHL Live and YouTube.