Spokane falls to Kootenay as Ice convert on two power-play goals
CRANBROOK, B.C. – The Spokane Chiefs played a full 60 minutes, but there isn’t a column for that in the standings.
The Kootenay Ice scored on two power-play goals and an empty-netter to defeat the Spokane Chiefs 3-1 on Saturday night in Western Hockey League play at the RecPlex.
The Chiefs fought gamely against the B.C. Division leaders, who entered the game ranked fifth among all major junior teams in Canada.
The potent Ice improved to 25-0-11-2 (52 points) on the season behind the 33 saves of goalie Tyler Dakers.
Spokane (15-17-1, 31) remains in fourth place in the U.S. Division.
The Chiefs will have nine days off for Christmas break before returning to action for a Dec. 27-28 back-to-back road matchup with the Prince George Cougars.
The Ice got on the board at the 8:39 mark of the first period, when Ben Maxwell buried a puck between the pads of Spokane goaltender Jim Watt, who finished with 22 saves. The goal was the 18th of the season for Maxwell.
The game remained that way until there was just one minute, 25 seconds remaining in the second period. That’s when Steve DaSilva got his 12th goal of the season – also on the power play – on a wrist shot over the glove of Watt.
The Chiefs responded in the first minute of the third period. Spokane took the opening face-off, Drayson Bowman took the puck behind the Kootenay net and fed interim captain Chad Klassen in the slot for a one-timer at the 35-second mark.
Trailing 2-1 after Klassen’s goal, the Chiefs continued to put pressure on the Ice through the third period.
With Watt pulled in the final minute, Bowman missed a rebound that would have tied the game. Kootenay’s Dale Mahovsky gained control of the puck and shot it into the empty net with 13 seconds left.
Ice 3, Chiefs 1
| Spokane | 0 | 0 | 1 | — | 1 | |
| Kootenay | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 3 |
First Period—1, Ktn, Maxwell 18 (Kurceba, Mahovsky) 8:39 (pp).
Second Period—2, Ktn, DaSilva 12 (Lee, Crackneel) 18:35 (pp).
Third Period—3, Spo, Klassen 12 (Bowman, Hobson) :35; 4, Ktn, Mahovsky 14 19:47 (en).
Power-play Opp.—Spokane 0 of 2; Kootenay 2 of 4. Saves—Spokane, Watt 22 saves; Kootenay, Dakers 33 saves. A—3,461.
Flyers win
The Spokane Flyers (14-18-1, 28 points) outlasted the Tri-City Titans (13-16-0, 26) by a 7-5 score in a Northern Pacific Hockey League game at Eagles Ice-A-Rena. Chris Japhet had two goals for the Flyers.