Ex-Chief Nets Game-Winner For Americans

Losing to your fiercest regional rival is hard enough, but when one of your own beats you, it makes it that much tougher.

Former Chief Jared Smyth split two Spokane defenders and slid the puck under prone Chiefs netminder Tyler MacKay to give the Tri-City Americans a 2-1 Western Hockey League victory over Spokane on Saturday at the Tri-Cities Coliseum.

For the Americans, it was their sixth win in eight meetings against Spokane this season.

Despite the loss, the Chiefs (30-14-3-2) maintain their sevenpoint lead over second-place Prince George in the WHL West Division standings. Prince George (25-19-4-4) lost 4-3 at Kelowna.

Spokane jumped to a 1-0 lead when Brandin Cote tallied his 13th goal at the 15-minute, 50-second mark of the first period. Brent McDonald and Tim Krymusa assisted.

But Tri-City (18-24-6-1) answered at 6:57 of the second when Darrell Hay notched his 10th goal with an assist from Andrew Downing.

Smyth, who was released by the Chiefs in October before hooking on with Tri-City, scored his eighth goal and second game-winner of the season at 3:37 of the third period.

Andrew Downing and Blake Evans, another former Chief, assisted on the game-winner.

Spokane had two power-play opportunities after Smyth’s tally, but couldn’t convert.

The Chiefs were just 1 of 7 on the power play after being 0 of 6 in a 4-4 tie Friday against Kelowna. Tri-City was 1 of 6.

Blake Ward was outstanding in goal for the Americans with 39 saves.

Spokane will return to the ice on Wednesday at Kamloops before hosting Portland on Friday and Tri-City on Saturday.

Ams 2 Chiefs 1 Wednesday: at Kamloops