Don Nachbaur OK with Chiefs preseason loss
Spokane Chiefs coach Don Nachbaur doesn’t put much stock in the final score during Western Hockey League exhibition games.
For the record, the final score Thursday at Eastern Washington University’s Rec Center favored the Tri-City Americans 2-1, courtesy of Brandon Carlo’s 4-on-3 power-play goal 46 seconds into overtime.
But after the Americans defeated Spokane 5-1 in last Saturday’s exhibition in Kennewick, Thursday’s only “home” exhibition for the Chiefs was a step up.
“It’s a 1-1 game tonight,” Nachbaur said. “We end up losing the game in overtime, but I think a lot of kids had good showings tonight. For the veteran players, it’s trying to redefine their roles.”
One of those veterans, 20-year-old center Liam Stewart, agreed that the Chiefs made strides in five days.
“It was a lot more competitive this game, but it was a hard game,” Stewart said. “It’s the preseason and we don’t have all of our systems. … But then again, you just have to work through it.”
The Chiefs had a brief chance to steal the win when Tri-City’s Devon McAndrews was whistled for checking from behind with 1:58 left in regulation. But the power play ended 21 seconds later when Spokane’s Mitch Lipon received a 4-minute penalty for high sticking.
McAndrews’ penalty ended 2 seconds into OT, giving Tri-City the 4-on-3 advantage that developed into Carlo’s winner.
“We took that unfortunate penalty when we were on the power play, but you just live and learn from that and we’ll see them again Saturday,” Stewart said.
Spokane will complete its preseason play Saturday in Kennewick.
The Chiefs outshot Tri-City 11-10 during the scoreless first period. Spokane’s Keanu Yamamoto beat Tri-City starting goalie Evan Sarthou on a breakaway right after the first-period horn sounded.
The first penalty of the game, a roughing call on Tri-City’s Maxwell James 4 minutes into the second period, led to the first goal. Eleven seconds into the power play, Lipon scored off a rebound, assisted by Blair Oneschuk and Tyson Helgesen.
Chiefs starting goalie Alex Moodie left at the halfway point after stopping all 13 shots he faced. His replacement, Garret Hughson, allowed Lucas Nickles’ tying goal a little more than 2 minutes later.
Chiefs Jason Fram (Calgary) and Adam Helewka (St. Louis) didn’t play because they’re attending NHL training camps. The Americans have six players at training camps, including Eric Comrie, one of WHL’s top goalies.
“The real reason why you play exhibition is to give kids opportunities to play,” Nachbaur said. “We’re a young group. We haven’t put a veteran group out on the ice on any one given night. We have a lot of veterans sitting out and so did Tri.
“Again, I thought there were some real good efforts tonight. I don’t look at the scoreboard and the end result. You want to win, but we’re still evaluating and that’s the key.
The Chiefs will travel to Kennewick’s Toyota Center for their WHL season opener on Sept. 20. Spokane’s home opener is Sept. 27, also against the Americans.