Both Teams Happy, Especially Chiefs Spokane’S Victory Makes Playoffs Inevitable, But Hawks Put Up A Fight

The last time they won, the world was still sweating out Y2K.

Their coach walked out Thursday.

On Friday night, they lost a franchise-record 12th straight game.

But considering how far the Portland Winter Hawks had to step up Friday night just to approach respectability, their 3-2 loss to the Spokane Chiefs before 6,657 was a step in the right direction.

Playing their first game under new head coach Mike Williamson, the Winter Hawks chased the Chiefs through three periods with a desperation that pleased their new boss.

It was also another indicator of how far Spokane has come in one season, that it could beat the once-proud Winter Hawks for the eighth straight time without a loss, and with an almost monotonous efficiency.

Two goals by Daniel Bohac - his team-leading 27th and 28th - and Brent McDonald’s 16th were the decisive blows for the Western Hockey League West Division-leading Chiefs, who will clinch a playoff spot with their next win or tie.

“We could have worked a lot harder,” said goaltender Tyler MacKay, who stopped 19 of 21 Portland shots and won against the Winter Hawks for the fifth time. “We’re a lot better team than this. We had a lot of chances that were off the post or just missed.”

So many missed, in fact, that coach Mike Babcock gave his player of the game award to a defenseman, Kurt Sauer.

“He was steady and played hard,” the coach said. “Bohac, (Roman) Tvrdon and Roles (Scott) were good for us because of their skill level, but I don’t think anyone played hard. Sauer played the hardest.”

Jason LaBarbera will start in goal tonight when the Chiefs try to cool off the Tri-City Americans.

The Chiefs wanted to blow out the fragile Winter Hawks early, and nearly did, scoring four minutes in on the power play. But Tim Smith’s drive that found the back of the net was waved off when Derek Schutz was whistled for interference.

Spokane did make it 1-0 five minutes later, after Schutz bounced a shot off goaltender Shaun Lee and the rebound came back to a wide-open Bohac. The assist extended Schutz’s scoring streak to eight games.

Still in the first, Portland’s Paul Gaustead stepped in front of Kyle Rossiter’s pass in the Chiefs’ zone, and surprised MacKay with a drive inside the far post for the equalizer. With Rossiter in front, MacKay said he never saw the shot.

Bohac and McDonald struck in the second period but the Hawks refused to lapse into fade mode. They cut it back to a one-goal game when Chad Grisdale finished a 2-on-1 break, scoring with the teams at four aside. Grisdale’s goal appeared to be directed in by his glove, but MacKay’s protestations were ignored.

“It wasn’t pretty but we found a way to get two points (in the standings),” Babcock said. “We’ve played these guys a lot, had some success against them and we knew they’d be excited tonight. Their chances came when we turned the puck over.”

Williamson had the Winter Hawks ready a day after Harold Snepsts stepped down as head coach.

“I feel bad about Harold Snepsts because the reality is, he’s a good man and if you have enough good guys you get W’s,” Babcock said. “Yet it is a good opportunity for Mike Williamson. He’ll do a good job.”

Chiefs 3, Winter Hawks 2

Portland 1 1 0 - 2

Spokane 1 2 0 - 3

First period - 1, Spokane, Bohac 27 (Tvrdon, Schutz), 9:29 (pp).

2, Portland, Gaustad 3, 16:03. Key penalties - Robson, Por, 3:01; Schutz, Spo, 4:12; Middleton, Por, 8:38; Gaustad, Spo, 11:19; Tvrdon, Spo, 17:05; Kurt Sauer, Spo, 19:31.

Second period - 3, Spokane, Bohac 28 (Tvrdon), 2:27. 4, Spokane, McDonald 16 (Smith), 14:57. 5, Portland, Grisdale 2 (Robson, Beuker), 19:21. Key penalties - Boychuk, Spo, 2:58; DeMone, Por, 5:14; McDonald, Spo, 7:28; Kent Sauer, Por, 11:19; Cote, Spo, 17:34; DeMone, Por, 18:37.

Third period - None. Key penalties - Por, delay of game, calling for stick measurement, 19:26.

Power play opportunities - Portland 0 of 6. Spokane 1 of 7. Saves - Portland, Lee 10-10-15- 35. Spokane, MacKay 8-4-7- 19. A - 6,657.

Chiefs 3 Hawks 2 Today: Tri-City vs. Spokane at the Arena< Radio: KXLY 920, 6 p.m.