Chiefs Rally From 3 Back, But Fall To Medicine Hat

The Spokane Chiefs fought back from a three-goal deficit but still lost to Medicine Hat 6-4 Saturday night in a Western Hockey League game.

After falling behind 3-0 in the first period, Spokane tied the game at 3 on a power-play goal at the 17:11 mark of the second period when Adam Magarrell unleashed a wrist shot from right point that sailed between the pads of Tigers keeper Scott Buhler.

But Medicine Hat took the lead for good at 19:48 in the second period on defenseman Jaroslav Obsut’s power-play goal.

Spokane’s Joe Cardarelli had a goal and two assists. Derek Schutz and Greg Leeb also scored for the Chiefs.

Despite its season-high four-game losing streak, Spokane remains in first place in the Western Hockey League West Division at 13-10-2, one point ahead of Portland.

Medicine Hat, winners of five straight, improved to 15-11, third in the Central Division.

Tigers 6, Chiefs 4

Spokane 1 2 1 - 4

Medicine Hat 3 1 2 - 6

First period - 1, Medicine Hat, Polak 13 (Wasyluk, Chimera) 4:58. 2, Medicine Hat, Temple 8 (Wilchynsky, St. Martin) 7:47 pp. 3, Medicine Hat, Chimera 6 (Obsut, Thompson) 12:11 pp. 4, Spokane, Cardarelli 9 (Hamilton, Cirjak) 19:32. Key penalties - Hamilton, Spo., 6:13; Temple, MH, 9:28; Hamilton, Spo., 10:20; Haley, Spo., 12:11.

Second period - 5, Spokane, Schutz 9 (Magarrell,Cardarelli) 9:08 pp. 6, Spokane, Magarrell 2 (Cardarelli, Hamilton) 17:11 pp. 7, Medicine Hat, Obsut 8 (Polak) 19:48 pp. Key penalties - Chimera, MH, 1:55; Whitfield, Spo., 6:01; Wilchynsky, MH, 8:59; Thompson, MH, 11:37; Svangstu, MH, 16:00; Magarrell, Spo., 18:43.

Third period - 8, Medicine Hat, St. Martin 1 (Millar, Wilchynsky) 3:52. 9, Spokane, Leeb 12 (Mikhailov, Cisar) 10:18 pp. 10, Medicine Hat, Polak 14 (Una.) 19:41. Key penalties - Millar, MH, 8:19; McDonald, MH, 11:51; Hamilton, Spo., 15:44.

Power plays opp.- Spokane 3 of 7; Medicine Hat 3 of 5.Goalies - Spokane, Magliarditi 10-7-8-25 saves. Medicine Hat, Buhler 6-11-12-30 saves. A-3,100.