Klassen’s third-period goal secures road win for Spokane
SEATTLE — Chad Klassen scored the game-winning goal just one minute, 15 seconds into the third period as the Spokane Chiefs downed the first-place Seattle Thunderbirds 3-2 on Wednesday night in Western Hockey League play at KeyArena.
Klassen’s 23rd goal of the season put Spokane up 3-1, then the Chiefs held on for the win after Seattle scored late. Derek Ryan had a goal and an assist for Spokane, and Michael Grabner had a goal and Jeff Lynch added two assists.
Kevin Opsahl got the win in goal for fourth-place Spokane, which improved to 18-23-8-1 (43 points), three points ahead of Tri-City (a loser Wednesday) in the U.S. Division standings. Spokane hosts Everett on Friday and Tri-City on Saturday.
Chiefs 3, Seattle 2
| Spokane | 2 | 0 | 1 | – | 3 |
| Seattle | 0 | 1 | 1 | – | 2 |
First period– 1, Spo, Grabner 8 (Lapointe) 13:33; 2, Spo, Ryan 9 (Je. Lynch, Lukacevic) (pp). Key penalty – Durand, Sea (high sticking) 10:59.
Second period– 2, Sea, Thompson 11 (Hansen) 5:37.
Third period– 4, Spo, Klassen 23 (Ryan, Je Lynch) 1:15; 5, Sea, Holloway 4 (Jackson, Scurko) 4:19.
Power-play Opportunities–Spokane 1 of 7; Seattle 0 of 6. Saves–Spokane, Opsahl 12-6-6–24 saves. Seattle, McHale 6-6-7–17 saves. A–2,719.