Chiefs fall in overtime as Stoner nets winner
KENNEWICK, Wash. – The Spokane Chiefs came all the way back from a three-goal deficit to force an overtime period Saturday night with the Tri-City Americans.
But their work went for naught as Tri-City defenseman Clayton Stoner put in a shot from the right point at the 1-minute, 13-second mark of OT for a 4-3 Western Hockey League win at the Tri-Cities Coliseum.
The Chiefs (5-6-0-1) fell behind early against the Americans (5-6-2-0). Tri-City led 1-0 after one period and 3-0 in the second before Spokane closed to 3-2 at the end of two.
Marc Connors scored first for the Americans, putting in a rebound goal past Spokane goaltender Jim Watt at the 18:18 mark of the first period. The goal came after his initial shot was stopped by the skate of Spokane defenseman Sean Zimmerman and bounced right back to him.
Tri-City added two power-play goals in the second period to extend its lead. First, Ian McDonald put in a rebound of a shot by defenseman Shawn Belle at 7:03.
Right after that goal, Spokane’s Jevon Desautels was whistled for interference, putting Tri-City right back on the power play. The Americans, who went 2 of 7 on the power play, converted when again Marcus Jonasen added a goal on a one-timer at 8:16.
The Chiefs came back with two goals to make it 3-2 entering the third period. Their first goal came on a shot by Scott Lynch from the left point that was misjudged by Tri-City goalie Carey Price and tumbled into the net at the 9:58 mark. At the 14:09 mark of the third, Desautels put in a power-play goal.
Just 4:02 into the third period, Spokane tied the game when Chad Klassen recorded his team-leading seventh goal of the season. He poked in a rebound that dropped from the glove of Price, who had made a save on a shot by Ned Lukacevic.
That’s the way it would in regulation.
Spokane travels to Kamloops for a game Friday night before the Chiefs get another shot at Tri-City at home on Saturday.
Americans 4, Chiefs 3 (OT)
Tri-City | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 – | 4 |
Spokane | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 – | 3 |
First period–1, TC, Connors 4 (Swaby, Beeman) 18:18.
Second period– 2, TC, McDonald 3 (Belle, Festerling) 7:03 (pp); 3, TC, Jonasen 5 (Stoner, McDonald) 08:16 (pp); 4, Spo, Sc. Lynch 4, 9:58; 5, Spo, Desautels 3 (Sc. Lynch, Klassen) 14:09 (pp). Key penalties – Sc. Lynch, Spo. (interference) 5:24; Desautels, Spo (int.) 7:03; Thompson, TC (cross checking) 13:58.
Third period– 6, Spo, Klassen 7 (Lukacevic) 4:02. Overtime – 7, TC, Stoner 2 (Jonasen, Festerling) 1:13.
Power-play Opportunities–Tri-City 2 of 7; Spokane 1 of 10. Saves–Tri-City, Price 6-15-5-1–27. Spokane, Watt 9-8-7-1–25. A–3,628.