Chiefs Pay For Penalties

Specialty teams weren’t very special for the Spokane Chiefs, but the power play was powerful for the Tri-City Americans.

Scoring on five of seven man-advantage opportunities, the Americans rang out the old year with a 5-3 Western Hockey League victory over the struggling Chiefs before 6,000 in Tri-City Coliseum on Thursday night.

While the Americans made the Chiefs pay when they sent a man to the penalty box, Spokane’s power play was anemic. The Chiefs were 0 for 7.

At one point at the end of the first period and start of the second, they had a 4-minute power play when the Americans’ Nathan Barrett was off for cutting Spokane’s Dan Vandermeer with a high stick. Spokane barely got off a shot. In the second period, Spokane had four power-play opportunities and managed just three shots during the 20 minutes. One was Mason Wallin’s even-strength fourth goal at 15:02 to end the bleeding.

Spokane couldn’t thwart Tri-City when the Americans had the man advantage, but the Chiefs won the battle at even strength - thanks to some big saves by goaltender Mike Lencucha.

Wallin also picked up an assist on linemate Chris Harper’s goal at 4:25 of the third to cut the deficit to 3-2, and Derek Schutz collected his second goal.

Dylan Gyori, with two goals and an assist, and goalie Aaron Baker led the Americans.

Chiefs summary, C6