Ice slip past Chiefs

CRANBROOK, B.C. – Austin Vetterl’s power-play goal late in the second period marked a shift in momentum and helped the Kootenay Ice beat the Spokane Chiefs 3-2 in a Western Hockey League game on Saturday night.

The goal gave Kootenay a 3-1 lead and came after Spokane’s Mitch Holmberg was denied on a short-handed breakaway – a shot that would have tied it.

Holmberg’s league-leading 23rd goal early in the second period knotted the score at 1, but goals from Levi Cable and Vetterl gave the Ice (10-8-2-0) a comfortable cushion heading into the final period.

Mike Aviani scored on a power play midway through the third period, but the Chiefs (14-7-0-0) couldn’t complete the comeback. It was Aviani’s 18th goal of the season, second only to Holmberg in the WHL. It was also his league-leading 10th power-play goal.

The game was the first of five contests against Kootenay this season.

The Chiefs, who are 9-4 on the road, play eight of their next 10 games at home. They play host to Prince George on Friday night at 7:05.