Grabner’s hat trick leads Chiefs
PRINCE GEORGE, British Columbia – Michael Grabner scored three goals, including the winner 30 seconds into overtime, to lead the Spokane Chiefs to a 4-3 victory over the Prince George Cougars in Western Hockey League play Wednesday.
Grabner’s final goal came unassisted. He took the puck to the right circle, deked the defenseman, and went to the top of the slot and buried the winner under the crossbar.
Judd Blackwater scored Spokane’s other goal.
Chiefs rookie goalie Dustin Tokarski had 24 saves, including 12 in the second period.
“The WHL’s trade moratorium ended and two U.S. Division teams traded key players.
The Seattle Thunderbirds sent veteran center Chris Durand, 19, to Prince George for forward Brett Robertson, 20.
The Portland Winter Hawks got two 16-year-old defensive prospects from Medicine Hat for captain Michael Sauer. Sauer, 19, is the younger brother of former Spokane Chief Kurt Sauer.
Chiefs 4, Cougars 3 (OT)
| Spokane | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 4 |
| Prince George | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | 3 |
First Period—1, PG, Setoguchi 14 (Walker, Sagert) 4:56 (sh); 2, Spo, Grabner 13 (Blackwater, Mercer) 16:26 (pp). Second Period—3, Spo, Blackwater 7 (Wahl) 13:01; 4, PG, Thiessen 1 (Drazenovic) 18:15. Third Period—5, Spo, Grabner 14 (Roman) 9:32; 6, PG, Hunter 14 (Drazenovic, Setoguchi) 10:25 (pp). Overtime—7, Spo, Grabner 15:30.
Power-play Opp.—Spokane 1 of 7; Prince George 1 of 6. Saves—Spokane, Tokarski 24. Prince George, White 22. A—2,944.