Spokane Chiefs’ rally falls short in 4-3 loss to Portland to even series at 1-1

PORTLAND – The Spokane Chiefs’ rally from a four-goal deficit fell short in a 4-3 loss to the Portland Winterhawks on Sunday that evened their first-round, best-of-seven Western Hockey League playoff series at a game apiece.

Games 3 and 4 will be played Wednesday and Thursday in Spokane, both beginning at 7:05 p.m.

Portland scored three goals in the first period via 15 shots, a flurry that sent starting goaltender Bailey Brkin to the bench in favor of Dawson Weatherill to start the second period.

Weatherill gave up Portland’s fourth goal 6 1/2 minutes into the period but that would be it as Spokane rallied. Weatherill finished with 15 saves and Brikin 12.

The Chiefs fired 16 shots in the second period with Tyson Helgensen and Ethan McIndoe scoring to get Spokane within 4-2 heading into the third period. Zach Fischer, in his second game after an injury that sidelined him a month and a half, scored from the right wing to make it 4-3 six minutes into the third.

The Chiefs pulled Weatherill in the final two minutes but didn’t get a good shot off, collecting only five shots in the period.

The loss ended the Chiefs’ four-game win streak versus Portland.