Cranbrook, BC – The Spokane Chiefs beat the Kootenay ICE 3-2 in an overtime shoot-out in WHL action on Friday night.
The ICE (22-11-1-3) scored the first goal of the game midway through the second as Joey Leach stepped into a slap shpt that went into the net off the goalies’ blocker.
Less than 2 minutes later, off a face-off win in the ICE zone, Chiefs (17-11-2-3) newly acquired forward Todd Fiddler tied the game on a deflection.
Two second after an unsuccessful power-play the ICE took a 2-1 lead as Dylen McKinlay fired a wrist shot high on the stick side as he was wide open in the deep circle and scored on the short side of the goalie.
In the third period the Chiefs tied the game on a power-play rebound goal from Liam Stewart.
This was the Chiefs’ 9th overtime game and the 5th for the ICE
The shootout went 6 rounds and the Chiefs won 2-1 on a goal by Brenden Kichton.
The ICE were 2 skaters short of a complete line-up and with 3 missing defenseman Joe Antilla played on the blueline for the game.
John Neibrandt is out a week.
Depending on some tests Luke Paulsen is day-to-day for now but it could also be a longer time on the sideline.
Elgin Pearce played in his 150th career regular season game.
Did you know? - WHL webcasts can now be watched on Ipad.
After playing a home game on New Years’ Eve 9 years in a row, the ICE will not be in action on the final day of the year.
The ICE will visit Lethbridge on Monday.
ICE Scratches – Spencer Wand (U-17 West), Jaedon Descheneau (U-17 Pacific), Sam Reinhart (U-17 Paciific), Jon Martin (U-17 West), Luke Paulsen, John Neibrandt.
Game Summary
Spokane 17-11-2-3 Kootenay 22-11-1-3
1st Period-
No Scoring.
Penalties-Aviani Spo (roughing), 3:07; Dirk Ktn (cross checking), 3:07; Fiddler Spo (hooking), 16:27.
2nd Period
1, Kootenay, Leach 8 (Antilla, Reinhart), 7:46.
2, Spokane, Fiddler 5 (Gal, Baldwin), 9:32.
3, Kootenay, McKinlay 7 (Antilla, Dirk), 16:12.
Penalties-Kuhn Spo (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 9:25; Dirk Ktn (cross checking), 9:25; Hurley Ktn (checking from behind), 13:36; Kichton Spo (interference), 14:10; Kramer Spo (interference), 16:38; Baldwin Spo (cross checking), 20:00; Ismond Ktn (roughing), 20:00.
3rd Period
4, Spokane, Stewart 4 (Gow, Kalus), 7:02 (PP).
Penalties-Aviani Spo (checking to the head), 2:58; Benoit Ktn (high sticking), 5:09; served by Ktn (too many men), 7:34.
OT Period
No Scoring.
Penalties-No Penalties
Shootout
Spokane 2 (Hauptman NG, Fiddler NG, Holmberg G, Gal NG, Kalus NG, Kichton G),
Kootenay 1 (Reinhart G, Pearce NG, Ismond NG, Benoit NG, McKinlay NG, Montgomery NG).
Shots on Goal-Spokane 14-16-9-1-1-41. Kootenay 11-18-10-3-0-42.
Power Play Opportunities-Spokane 1 / 3; Kootenay 0 / 4.
Goalies-Spokane, Engel 14-11-1-2 (42 shots-40 saves). Kootenay, Skapski 6-2-0-0 (40 shots-38 saves).
A-3,111
Referees-Trevor Hanson (19), Jonathan Spurgeon (7).
Linesmen-Sean Donnelly (109), Aidan Henderson (78).