From Chris Wahl ... http://www.kootenayice.net/article/ice-rally-falls-short-in-spokane
Matt Alfaro scored twice, but a late rally fell short as the Kootenay ICE lost 4-3 in Spokane Saturday.
Calder Brooks and Adam Helewka each had a pair of goals for the Chiefs, while Zak Zborosky also scored for the ICE.
Alfaro opened the scoring 1:14 into the game, winning a race to the puck and breaking in alone on Spokane netminder Tyson Verhelst. Alfaro backhanded a shot past Verhelst for his first goal of the season as Kootenay took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission.
The Chiefs equalized quickly following the break, as Brooks tucked home a pair of goals in a 1:07 span to give Spokane a 2-1 lead inside the first 91 seconds of the second period.
Helewka added a third goal for the Chiefs, who led 3-1 after fourty minutes. He then tucked home a power-play goal at 7:47 of the third period to put the hosts ahead 4-1 shortly after the ICE had a goal disallowed for incidental contact with goaltender Verhelst.
Alfaro cut the Chiefs' lead to 4-2 with just under six minutes left, stretching the puck past Verhelst after being sent in on goal by linemate Ryan Chynoweth.
Zak Zborosky made it a one-goal game 37 seconds later, but the Chiefs were able to kill a late penalty to preserve the win.
Wyatt Hoflin made 41 saves in goal for Kootenay, while Verhelst was credited with his first WHL victory, turning aside 21 shots.
Brooks finished with a game-high four points for Spokane.
ICE defenseman Rinat Valiev, playing in his second game since returning from injury, recorded one assist.
UP NEXT: The ICE open a six-game homestand Tuesday against the Prince Albert Raiders. Game time for the first 2 For 1 Tuesday of the season is 7:00 pm.