Chiefs top ‘Tips in shootout

EVERETT – Derek Ryan and Michael Grabner scored shootout goals to lead Spokane in a 2-1 Western Hockey League win over Everett in front of 5,120 fans at the Everett Event Center.

After two scoreless periods, the Silvertips (4-0-0-1, nine points) jumped on the scoreboard when Peter Mueller lit the lamp with a power-play goal at the 3:59 mark of the third period. Assists on the play went to Zach Hamill and Jason Fransoo.

The Chiefs (2-1-1-0, five points) answered on the power play at the 15:13 mark when Dan Mercer’s one-timer deflected in traffic and made it past Everett goalie Leland Irving. Assists went to Judd Blackwater and Drayson Bowman.

Spokane rookie goalkeeper Dustin Tokarski outdueled the veteran Irving, making 19 saves in regulation, and stopped the final two Silvertips in the shootout, to earn the game’s No. 1 star and hand U.S. Division-leading Everett its first loss of the season.

After a scoreless overtime session, Mueller scored the lone goal for Everett in the shootout. Ondrej Roman as the first Spokane shooter was denied, but Ryan knotted the score and Grabner buried the deciding shot for the win.