Chiefs fall back into 5th
PRINCE GEORGE, British Columbia – Whatever ground the Spokane Chiefs made up in Friday’s win over Prince George, they lost Saturday night in a 3-1 loss to the Cougars that set them two points behind the Tri-City Americans (24-31-7-3) for the final playoff berth.
The Americans won a 3-2 overtime thriller at Portland to take a two-point lead on the Chiefs with seven games to go. Spokane returns to action on Wednesday at the Spokane Arena against Everett and then plays Tri-City at home on Saturday in what could be a showdown for that final spot in the Western Hockey League’s U.S. Division.
The Chiefs (23-32-8-2) outshot the Cougars 31-23, but Prince George goalie Real Cyr made 30 stops to frustrate the Chiefs.
The Chiefs came out firing and outshot the Cougars 14-6 in the first period. But Lee Zalasky scored the only goal, a deflection off a shot by Eric Hunter at the 10:26 mark.
Prince George went up 2-0 at 3:08 in the second off Curtis Cooper’s wrist shot from the top of the left circle. Greg Gardner, taking a feed from behind the Chiefs’ net, shot from outside the crease to beat Jim Watt at 8:41 of the third to make it 3-0.
The Chiefs scored their lone goal on a 4-on-3 power play. Gary Gladue’s slap shot from the point, his fifth goal of the year, went in at 13:25.