Chiefs Fall At Kelowna, 6-5 Rockets Open Early Lead, Hold On Late As Spokane Falls To 1-1 On Young Season

The Spokane Chiefs’ season-opening win streak has ended at one.

The Chiefs lost to the Kelowna Rockets 6-5 on Wednesday in their second Western Hockey League game of the season.

Spokane won its opener at Tri-City 6-4 on Saturday.

The Chiefs return to Spokane this Saturday when they meet Tri-City in the home opener at the Arena.

Game time is 7 p.m.

Against Kelowna, the Rockets bolted to a 6-3 lead midway through the third period when Rob Grimard scored on a pass from Jamie Butt in the slot.

The Chiefs answered with Trent Whitfield’s goal at 14:05, a wrist shot from the right circle off an assist from Sean Gillam.

Spokane cut the deficit to 6-5 at 18:55 when Whitfield took a pass from Randy Favaro off the back boards and tipped it into the net.

Favaro finished with two goals and an assist for Spokane, which lost goaltender David Lemanowicz in the second period after he was ejected for his part in a line brawl.

It was a penalty-filled game as both teams combined for more than 200 penalty minutes.

Kelowna jumped out early on Spokane, scoring the first two goals.

Spokane got on the board at 7:13 of the first period when Favaro scored unassisted.

Kelowna sandwiched goals around Favaro’s second-period score to open a 4-2 lead.