Chiefs lose in shootout

EVERETT – The Spokane Chiefs’ 4-3 shootout loss Sunday night to the Everett Silvertips seemed painfully familiar.

The Chiefs allowed the Silvertips to come back from a 3-1 deficit in the third period Sunday, just as they had in their previous meeting in Everett on Nov. 25, which the Silvertips won 4-3 in overtime.

The loss drops Spokane into fourth place in the U.S. Division, one point behind Everett.

After falling behind 1-0 on Sunday, Spokane scored three times in the second period to take a 3-1 lead into the final period. Kyle Beach scored his team-leading 28th goal of the season at 1:52 of the second to tie the game.

Midway through the second period, Steve Kuhn scored a shorthanded goal to give Spokane the lead. Mitch Wahl scored his 17th goal of the season late in the second period to give the Chiefs a two-goal lead.

Everett came back in the final period of regulation, pulling to within 3-2 midway through the third. Ryan Murray tied the game with 2:05 left in regulation after Spokane failed to convert a two-on-one with the net open.

The Silvertips won the shootout 2-1, with Wahl connecting for the Chiefs’ tally.

Chiefs reassign Leedahl

Spokane assigned defenseman Garrett Leedahl to Humboldt of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, but made no other moves prior to Sunday afternoon’s WHL trade deadline.