Spokane Chiefs defenseman Tyson Helgesen, left, exchanges punches with Seattle Thunderbirds right wing Keegan Kolesar during the first period Wednesday at the Arena. (James Snook / James Snook Special to The Spokesman-Review)
Spokane Chiefs defenseman Tyson Helgesen (6) takes a shot on goal against Seattle Thunderbirds right wing Sami Moilanen (18) during the first period at the Spokane Arena. (James Snook / Special to The Spokesman-Review)
Spokane Chiefs defenseman Tyson Helgesen (6) looks on after scoring a goal against the Seattle Thunderbirds during the first period at the Spokane Arena. (James Snook / Special to The Spokesman-Review)
Spokane Chiefs center Curtis Miske (18) breaks away from Seattle Thunderbirds right wing Keegan Kolesar (28) during the first period at the Spokane Arena. (James Snook / Special to The Spokesman-Review)
Spokane Chiefs celebrate a goal against the Seattle Thunderbirds during the first period at the Spokane Arena. (James Snook / Special to The Spokesman-Review)
Spokane Chiefs head coach Don Nachbaur looks on against the Seattle Thunderbirds during the first period at the Spokane Arena. (James Snook / Special to The Spokesman-Review)
Spokane Chiefs defenseman Tyson Helgesen (6) is taken to the penalty box during a game against the Seattle Thunderbirds during the first period at the Spokane Arena. (James Snook / Special to The Spokesman-Review)
Spokane Chiefs goalie Jayden Sittler (33) deflects a shot against the Seattle Thunderbirds during the first period at the Spokane Arena. (James Snook / Special to The Spokesman-Review)
Spokane Chiefs center Curtis Miske (18) goes up against Seattle Thunderbirds center Donovan Neuls (19) during the first period at the Spokane Arena. (James Snook / Special to The Spokesman-Review)
Spokane Chiefs center Jaret Anderson-Dolan (11) on a fast break against the Seattle Thunderbirds during the second period at the Spokane Arena. (James Snook / Special to The Spokesman-Review)
Spokane Chiefs center Riley McKay (27)gets into a fight with Seattle Thunderbirds defenseman Bryan Allbee (6) during the second period at the Spokane Arena. (James Snook / Special to The Spokesman-Review)
Spokane Chiefs center Pavel Kousal (21) is checked into the wall by Seattle Thunderbirds defenseman Jarret Tyszka (5) during the second period at the Spokane Arena. (James Snook / Special to The Spokesman-Review)
Spokane Chiefs center Hudson Elynuik (left) fights for the puck against Seattle Thunderbirds left wing Nolan Volcan during the third period at the Spokane Arena. (James Snook / Special to The Spokesman-Review)
Spokane Chiefs left wing Ondrej Najman (25) gets the loose puck against the Seattle Thunderbirds during the third period at the Spokane Arena. (James Snook / Special to The Spokesman-Review)
Spokane Chiefs goalie Jayden Sittler (33) steps out onto the ice for the beginning of the third period against the Seattle Thunderbirds at the Spokane Arena. (James Snook / Special to The Spokesman-Review)
Spokane Chiefs center Markson Bechtold (12) cross check Seattle Thunderbirds left wing Nolan Volcan (26) during the third period at the Spokane Arena. (James Snook / Special to The Spokesman-Review)
Spokane Chiefs center Riley McKay (27) lands a punch on Seattle Thunderbirds defenseman Bryan Allbee (6) during the second period at the Spokane Arena. (James Snook / Special to The Spokesman-Review)
Spokane Chiefs celebrate their 5-4 win over the Seattle Thunderbirds at the Spokane Arena. (James Snook / Special to The Spokesman-Review)
Spokane Chiefs right wing Kailer Yamamoto (17) gets pinned against the boards by Seattle Thunderbirds center Elijah Brown (11) during the third period at the Spokane Arena. (James Snook / Special to The Spokesman-Review)
A young Spokane Chiefs fan looks on against the Seattle Thunderbirds during the third period at the Spokane Arena. (James Snook / Special to The Spokesman-Review)
Spokane Chiefs center Jaret Anderson-Dolan (11) breaks away from the pack during a game against the Seattle Thunderbirds during the third period at the Spokane Arena. (James Snook / Special to The Spokesman-Review)
Spokane Chiefs right wing Kailer Yamamoto (17) celebrates after 5-4 overtime win over the Seattle Thunderbirds at the Spokane Arena. (James Snook / Special to The Spokesman-Review)
The Spokane Chiefs play the Seattle Thunderbirds at home in the Spokane Arena, Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2016.
In a game they dominated offensively, the Chiefs were pushed to overtime Wednesday night against Seattle before Spokane was saved by a 16-year-old defenseman.