Spokane Chiefs fall to Tri-City Americans in preseason finale

The Spokane Chiefs seized momentum then faded late in a 4-2 loss to Tri-City in their final WHL preseason game Saturday night at the Toyota Center in Kennewick.

Trailing 2-0 early in the second period, the Chiefs scored consecutive goals to knot the game at 2 with 11 minutes left in the contest.

But the Americans responded with two third-period goals to earn the win.

Spokane got on the board at 12:11 of the second period with Davis Vandane’s goal off assists from Matt Marantz and Mitch Holmberg. At 9:05 of the third period, Spokane rookie Liam Stewart scored to tie the game at 2.

Anthony Bardaro and Collin Valcourt were credited with assists on the play.

The Americans’ Brian Williams scored with less than 8 minutes left to play in the final period.

Adam Hughesman added an empty-netter with 19 seconds left to cap the scoring.

Spokane goaltender Mac Engel made 23 saves.

The Chiefs finished the preseason at 4-2-0-1. They will open the regular season Saturday in Kennewick against the rival Americans.

Spokane will play its home-opener Oct. 1, also against Tri-City.

KIJHL

Sean Collins scored two goals to lead the Spokane Braves to a 6-4 win at Kelowna.

Alex Marmon, Mitch Fowler, Nick Farmer and Brycen Fisher also scored for Spokane, which scored two goals in each of the three periods.

Braves goaltender Branden Armatto made 39 saves.