Chiefs stretched season as long as they could
The Spokane Chiefs played more than 103 minutes of hockey on Tuesday night in their attempt to force a Game 7 in Everett. Instead, Everett will play a Game 1 Friday at home against Portland. Read story
The Silvertips, short of defensemen after an early injury to Noah Juulsen, earned the right to move ahead after the longest game in their franchise history.
Brayden Low ended the evening by scoring in his fourth consecutive playoff game. Low pounced on an errant Chiefs puck at the side of the net.
"I think I'm in shock, to be honest," Low said. "I kind of just blacked out. I guess I waited out the goalie a little bit there, slid it through, and the rest is a blur."
The goalies were excellent all series. Everett's Carter Hart earned first-star honors Tuesday after making 53 saves. Spokane's Garret Hughson stopped 39 shots to receive second-star honors.
Everett, which allowed the second-lowest goals during the WHL's regular season, outscored Spokane 17-14 in the series.
Spokane's 14th and final goal in the series came with 5 seconds left in regulation as rookie-of-the-year candidate Kailer Yamamoto redirected Adam Helewka's shot.
"That's the way the series has gone," Chiefs coach Don Nachbaur said. "We didn't give up in any one game. To see (Yamamoto's goal) go in, we knew we had renewed hope. And I thought in the first overtime we had some good looks, too.
"It could have been over in the first (OT). But with that said, (Everett) had some great chances, too, and they're a good team. They're well-coached and their goaltender was really good against us. We wish them all the best."
Everett finished 5 for 33 on power plays during the series. The fifth power-play goal was crucial, giving the Silvertips a 1-0 lead that they held until Yamamoto brought the crowd of 3,714 to its feet.
"I respect our guys because we competed hard and we did all year long," Nachbaur said.
The game marked the final WHL bow for Chiefs overage players Liam Stewart, Calder Brooks and Jackson Playfair. At least four Chiefs 19-year-olds also won't return because the team has seven on its roster and, as always, will be limited to three 20-year-olds next season per league rules.
