Ricochet goal helps Chiefs beat Royals

VICTORIA, B.C. – The Spokane Chiefs turned to the bizarre to up their winning streak to five games in Western Hockey League play on Saturday night with a 3-2 victory over the Victoria Royals.

Blake Gal scored what proved to be the winning goal at the 5:09 mark of the second period. Gal smacked a shot that hit the glass behind the goal, ricocheted off the back of Victoria goalie Patrik Polivka and bounced into the net.

The win keeps the Chiefs (39-24-2-0) ahead of the Tri-City Americans (38-23-1-2) and in fourth place in the Western Conference – by one point with seven games left in the regular season.

Gal’s 13th goal of the season came just 26 seconds after Todd Fiddler’s 41st netter of the season had given Spokane a 2-1 lead.

The Chiefs took advantage of their only power-play opportunity of the night to take a 1-0 lead at 10:11 in the first on a goal by Alessio Bertaggiaa.

The Royals pulled even at 17:52 in the first on a goal by Jack Walker. Ben Walker’s power-play goal at 11:40 in the second capped the scoring for Victoria.

Goalie Eric Williams stopped 37 of 39 shots to pick up the win for Spokane.