Chiefs take step closer to elimination
VANCOUVER, British Columbia – The Spokane Chiefs moved closer to elimination from the Western Hockey League playoff race.
Spokane fell to Vancouver 1-0 on Saturday night and Portland downed Kelowna 2-1 at home, clinching a playoff spot for the Winter Hawks.
The Chiefs (21-37-5-3, 50 points) remain mired in fifth place in the U.S. Division of the Western Conference. Only four teams make the playoffs and Tri-City can clinch the final spot with one win or a Spokane loss.
The Chiefs’ offensive struggles continued, as they have been shut out for three consecutive games and have just one goal in their last five games. They have lost 11 games in a row and 17 straight on the road.
The lone goal was scored by Vancouver rookie defenseman Jonathan Blum on a four-on-four situation at the 12-minute, 5-second mark of the first period.
Kevin Armstrong made 42 saves in net for the Chiefs, who allowed a season-high 43 shots and put on 16 shots.
Giants 1, Chiefs 0
| Spokane | 0 | 0 | 0 | —0 | |
| Vancouver | 1 | 0 | 0 | —1 |
First Period—1, Van, Blum 7 (Lamb, Repik) 12:05. Second Period—None. Third Period—None.
Power-play Opp.—Spokane 0 of 6; Vancouver 0 of 8. Saves—Spokane, Armstrong 42 saves. Vancouver, Slade 16 saves. A—6,866.