Chiefs stop Americans’ streak
Reid makes 2 saves during final minute
KENNEWICK – Spokane scored a goal in each period and held off division-leading Tri-City 3-2 in Western Hockey League play at the Toyota Center Saturday.
The Spokane win snapped a six-game home winning streak for the Americans, who made a mad dash at the end of the game only to be stymied by Chiefs goalie James Reid.
Tri-City emptied the net and then got an assist on a tripping penalty by Dominik Uher with 59 seconds left to give the Americans a 6-4 man advantage. But Reid stopped two shots in the final minute to preserve the win.
“I thought it was a real good job by all,” Chiefs coach Hardy Sauter said. “I really liked our compete level and composure.”
Spokane remains two points behind Portland for third place in the U.S. Division of the Western Conference. Portland whipped Seattle 6-1.
Mitch Wahl opened the scoring for the Chiefs with his 22nd goal of the season with a little more than a minute left in the first period. Tyler Johnson put the Chiefs up 2-0 with his 20th goal of the season halfway through the second period.
Justin Feser got the Americans on the scoreboard with an answer to Johnson 90 seconds later.
Kyle Beach gave the Chiefs another two-goal advantage with his score at the midpoint of the third period. Tri-City answered again, this time on a power-play goal by Adam Hughesman at the 14:11 mark. The goal came after a 5-minute major for charging was assessed to Blake Gal.
Reid stopped 14 shots in the final period.