Fill-In Player’s Goal Jump-Starts Chiefs

Bryce Reynoldson immediately fit in with the Spokane Chiefs, although he won’t fit for long.

Reynoldson, playing his first game with Spokane, scored early in the second period Saturday to launch the Chiefs toward a 3-1 Western Hockey League win.

Reynoldson, 19, previously played for Moose Jaw and has signed as a free agent while four Chiefs play in tournaments. He will return to his studies at the University of Regina when the Chiefs are at full strength.

Spokane (24-10-3) hadn’t played in 10 days.

The Chiefs remained eight points behind West Division-leading Portland, which defeated Seattle 4-2, but put some distance on third-place Prince George (22-14-2).

The Cougars were 15-4-1 at home entering the game. The Chiefs shut them out 5-0 when they met Oct. 3.

All the scoring took place in the second period.

Reynoldson scored less than 2 minutes into the period. Cougars goaltender Scott Myers got a glove on the shot but reacted too late.

Spokane scored again slightly more than a minute later. Trent Whitfield’s shot rebounded to Greg Leeb, who scored his 21st of the year. Curtis Suter added a backhander at 13:53, with assists from Marc Brown and Ron Grimard.

Spokane goalie Aren Miller allowed only Jeff Zorn’s backhanded goal from the left corner at 16:16.

The Cougars had 42 shots on goal, 19 more than Spokane.

The two teams battle again today at 6:30 p.m. in Prince George. Spokane then travels to Tri-City for a game Wednesday before returning home Friday against Prince George at the Arena at 7 p.m.

Chiefs 3, Cougars 1

Spokane 0 3 0 - 3

Prince George 0 1 0 - 1

First period-None. Key penalties-Whitfield 6:03, Rossiter 12:31, Pg Toor 16:17

Second period-1, Spokane, Reynoldson 1, 1:46. 2, Spokane, Leeb 21 (Whitfield), 2:58. 3, Spokane, Suter 7 (Brown, Grimard), 13:53. 4, Prince George, Zorn 4 (Betts, Loncan), 16:16. Key penalties-Graf, Spo, 6:27; Peacock, PG, 11:49; Suter, Spo, 19:22; Smith,Pg, 19:58.

Third period- None. Key penalties-P.Jonhson, Spo, 1:46; Smyth, Spo, 15:48.

Power-play opp.-Spokane 0 of 3; Prince George 0 of 6. Saves- Spokane, Miller 13-11-17- 41. Prince George, Myers 10-7-3 -20. A-5,995.