Podollan Gives Chiefs New Life Spokane Knocks Off Tri-City 3-1, Puts Brakes On Four-Game Slide

He didn’t have a goal or an assist. His energy is sapped and it showed.

But there’s no doubt where the lift came from Saturday night at the Arena, where the Spokane Chiefs ended a four-game losing streak by thumping the Tri-City Americans 3-1.

Jason Podollan was back from the World Junior Tournament.

Derek Schutz, Darren Sinclair and Greg Leeb came through with the goals. David Lemanowicz stopped all but one Tri-City shot while Spokane penalty killers - Podollan among them - snuffed every one of the Americans’ nine powerplay opportunities.

And even though the Chiefs had to come from behind to tighten the race in the Western Hockey League West, this one may have been won at the airport.

That’s where Podollan had the option. Fly home or stop in Spokane for Saturday night’s game.

The 19-year-old from Vernon, British Columbia, the star of Canada’s Wednesday night semifinal win over the Russians at the World Juniors, delighted a sellout crowd of 10,528 by delaying his week off.

After an exhausting tournament in Worcester, Mass., where the Canadians went unbeaten against the top junior hockey players in the world, Podollan had earned his delayed holiday break.

After all, Tri-City goaltender Brian Boucher was already home, his work with the American team at the World Juniors done, his R&R in progress.

Daymond Langkow, Tri-City star center, is in Edmonton, kicking back after his big part in the WJC.

Perhaps if this had been a road game Podollan would have taken the night off as well.

Rejoining the team “was a great leadership move on his part,” Chiefs coach Mike Babcock said. “We talked about it. Podz is on his way home but he wanted to play tonight. I thought it was a big moment for him. We had a big crowd that recognized a player who has done good things for our program.”

Podollan was welcomed with a pre-game introduction and gold medal presentation. He was to leave for home this morning for a week off.

Although Podollan pulled the emotional trigger on Tri-City, it was Lemanowicz in goal who rightfully skated off with the game’s No. 1 star.

Lemanowicz kicked away 30 of Tri-City’s 31 shots, even though the Americans were on the power play nine times to Spokane’s four power play chances. Twice the Americans’ special teams had 5-on-3 advantages and twice they came away empty.

Going oh-fer on the power play was the key to their first loss in four games.

To their credit, the Americans, who also had to do without defenseman Zenith Komarniski (broken forearm), jumped up early when Mark Hurley opened the scoring at 6:34 of the first period with his 21st goal, assisted by Byron Briske.

Schutz tied it 59 seconds later, deflecting John Shocky’s slap shot over goaltender Aaron Baker’s glove.

Sinclair wristed the puck by Baker on a feed from Shockey for the game-winner at 2:21 of the second period.

Leeb’s 25th goal of the season at 16:44 was the insurance.

Babcock pointed to his depth as a factor.

“I really liked our fourth line (Schutz, Kris Graf and Ty Jones),” he said. “They were out there on the body every shift and they got the first goal.”

Chiefs 3, Americans 1

Tri-City 1 0 0 - 1

Spokane 1 2 0 - 3

First period-1, Tri-City, Ma.Hurley 21 (Briske), 6:34. 2, Spokane, Schutz 5 (Shockey), 7:33. Key penalties-Boschman, Spo, 2:22; Cerven, Spo, 8:39; Hamilton, Spo, 12:15; Tri-City bench, too many men, 13:14; Podollan, Spo, 16:28; Ma.Hurley, TC, 20:00.

Second period-3, Spokane, Sinclair 18 (Shockey, Leonov), 2:21. 4, Spokane, Leeb 24 (Whitfield, Cerven), 16:24. Key penalties-Graf, Spo, 5:13; Podollan, Spo, 7:04; Stahl, TC, 9:21; Magarrell, Spo, 17:26; Gillam, Spo, double minor, 18:22.

Third period-None. Key penalties-Svejkovsky, TC, 1:00; Berry, Spo, 11:32; Olson, TC, 17:46.

Power-play opp.-Tri-City 0 of 9; Spokane 0 of 4.Saves-Tri-City, Baker 8-10-8-26. Spokane, Lemanowicz 9-13-8-30.A-10,528.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo