Opsahl shuts out former team, 3-0

LETHBRIDGE, Alberta – Before the game, Lethbridge goalie Kevin Opsahl said he’d like to show the Spokane Chiefs that he’s a good goalie after they had traded him away earlier this season.

Spokane couldn’t have thought otherwise on Friday night. Opsahl made 25 saves and posted his third shutout of the season as Lethbridge downed Spokane 3-0 in Western Hockey League play.

The Hurricanes blew past Spokane on the first game of the Chiefs’ five-game road trip against Central Division opponents with two power-play goals in eight chances. Spokane went 0 of 6 on the power play.

Lethbridge got a goal and an assist from Mark Olafson and two assists from Tomas Kudelka. Kris Hogg had the Hurricanes’ other goal.

Spokane played an undisciplined brand of hockey, putting the Hurricanes regularly on the power play and putting undue pressure on its penalty-kill team and goalie Jim Watt, who made 30 saves.

Lethbridge got its first and last goals on the power play. On the first, Olafson scored on a one-timer from the right circle. On the last, Hogg banged in a rebound off a shot from the point.

On the second goal, Zach Boychuk passed the puck through the crease to an unwatched Petkau, who put it inside the left post.

The Chiefs (23 points) remain in fourth place in the U.S. Division, as the fifth-place Tri-City Americans (22) lost to Kootenay at home.

Hurricanes 3, Chiefs 0

First Period—1, Let, Olafson 4 (Kudelka) 3:40 (pp). Second Period—2, Let, Petkau 7 (Boychuk, Kudelka) 16:45. Third Period—3, Let, Hogg 9 (Wright, Olafson) 3:32 (pp). Power-play Opp.—Spokane 0 of 6; Lethbridge 2 of 8. Saves—Lethbridge, Opsahl 25 saves. Spokane, Watt 30 saves. A—3,788.