Spokane Chiefs defeat Kootenay in shootout

CRANBROOK, B.C. — It didn’t look good for Mac Engel and the Spokane Chiefs after the first round of a shootout against the defending Western Hockey League champion Kootenay Ice on Friday night in the Rec Complex. Engel, who turned aside 38 Kootenay shots in a game that stood 2-2 after three periods and overtime, was victimized by Kootenay’s leading scorer, Max Reinhart, on the Ice’s first shot of the shootout. But that was the only shot the Ice could get past the Spokane goaltender, while Mitch Holmberg converted in the third round to get the Chiefs even and extend the shootout, and Brenden Kichton lifted a shot over Kootenay goalie Mackenzie Skapski in the sixth round as Spokane won 3-2. New Chief Todd Fiddler, acquired from Prince Albert this week, scored in the second period and Liam Stewart converted on a power play in the third.