Chiefs Take Command Come-From-Behind Win Nets 2-0 Lead

The Spokane Chiefs turned up yet another way to torment the Prince George Cougars Monday night in the Arnea.

Spot them two goals in the first period, fire back to win, then win the fight at game’s end.

Lynn Loyns and Roman Tvrdon scored third-period goals in the Chiefs’ 4-3 win that left the Chiefs up two games to none in this Western Hockey League West Division best-of-7 championship series.

Prince George’s Garry Toor scored 1:45 after Tvrdon’s controversial goal to close the scoring, but not the action.

The frustrated Cougars came apart in the final minute, when Christian Chartier threw a cheap-shot punch at Spokane’s Brandin Cote, as Chartier headed to the penalty box with 48 seconds to go.

When Tim Wedderburn compounded that by instigating a fight with Spokane’s Brent McDonald, the Chiefs’ Kyle Rossiter had had enough. Rossiter found Aaron Foster at center ice, landed two explosive overhand rights that bloodied Foster and left him dazed - then skated off when he could have inflicted even more damage on the PG 17-year-old.

It was an explosive going-away present to the Cougars, who headed home after the game hoping to avert a sweep. Game 3 is Wednesday night in Prince George.

Down 2-0, the Chiefs scored four straight goals, starting with Tim Krymusa’s slap shot from the top of the left circle in the final minute of the first period. The shot that got under PG goaltender Scott Myers’ arm arrested the Cougars’ runaway first-period momentum.

The Cougars had taken a two-goal lead with their second early barrage of this series. Justin Cox - parked alone on the doorstep - scored 3:18 into the game. Blair Betts turned a Cote turnover in the Chiefs zone into a quick shot from the slot and the Cougars’ second goal.

As they’ve done all year, the Chiefs created opportunity from taking care of details. Jeremy Farr’s poke check at center ice interrupted the cougars’ breakout and kept Spokane in an attack mode.

Spokane’s Scott Roles eventually played it to Krymusa at center ice. Krymusa carried it over the blue line, took it to the circle and angled the shot past Myers.

The Chiefs tied it at 2 in a dominant second period, keyed by a highlight-reel goal.

Daniel Bohac beat Prince George’s Shon Jones-Parry to the puck behind the net, canceling what would have been a Chiefs’ icing, with the subsequent stoppage and a faceoff in their zone. Instead, Bohac was able to pick it up with Tvrdon alone in front of the net.

Boahc’s slick pass and Tvrdon’s quick shot - one of 11 the Chiefs put on net that period, to PG’s 3 - got by Myers and the game was tied at 2 after two.

Chiefs 4, Cougars 3

Prince George 2 0 1 - 3

Spokane 1 1 2 - 4

First period - 1, Prine George, Cox 1 (Bouck, Betts), 3:18. 2, Prince George, Betts, 7:37. 3, Spokane, Krymusa 4 (Roles), 19:07. Key penalties - Tvrdon, Spo, 3:35; Toor, PG, 4:15; Hamhuis, PG, 9:55; McDonald, Spo, 11:06.

Second period - 4, Spokane, Tvrdon 3 (Bohac, Roles), 9:03. Key penalties - Cote, Spo, 1:30; Bouck, PG, 15:01.

Third period - 5, Spokane, Loyns 2 (Roles), 1:17. 6, Spokane, Tvrdon 4 (Bohac), 5:35. 7, Prince George, Toor 3 (Betts, Hunter), 6:20. Key penalties - Chartier, PG, 19:12; Wedderburn, PG, 19:48; Schutz, Spo, Rossiter, Spo, both misconduct, 19:48; Bouck, PG, Wedderburn, PG, both misconduct, 19:48.

Power play opportunities - Prince George 0 of 3. Spokane 0 of 5. Saves - Prince George, Myers 14-10-8- 32. Spokane, LaBarbera 8-3-9- 20.