Klassen gives Chiefs a lot to think about

His eyes said it all in the postgame interview – well, everything he didn’t say on the ice: Chad Klassen wants to remain a Spokane Chief.

Klassen, the Chiefs’ 20-year-old assistant captain, capped a 5-4 overtime shootout win for his team over the Moose Jaw Warriors at the Spokane Arena in Western Hockey League play on Saturday night.

The shootout came at the end of a wild and physical game in which the Chiefs:

“trailed 2-0 after one period;

“took a 3-2 lead in the second;

“trailed 4-3 in the third; and

“tied it 4-4 with 7 minutes left in regulation.

After a scoreless 4-on-4 overtime, the teams went to the alternating shooter format.

And, after a stop by Spokane rookie goalie Thomas Stehr on the first Moose Jaw attempt, Spokane native Derek Ryan scored for the Chiefs.

Then, after another stop by Stehr, Klassen took the puck at center ice with a chance to win the game. He drove in on Warriors goalie Josh Lepp and won the game to set off a celebration by the 6,634 fans.

Klassen was mobbed by his teammates along the boards and was named the game’s first star. It topped off a night in which he had two assists after a three-assist night on Friday.

After the game, the emotion of this weekend was clear on Klassen’s face. He is a five-year Chiefs veteran who has been mentioned in trade rumors as Tuesday’s deadline nears

“It’s tough. I try not to think about it,” Klassen said. “But it’s always in the back of my mind. The coaches tell me, ‘Don’t worry about it. You can’t control it.’ So, I’ll just try my best. Whatever happens, happens.”

What happened for the Chiefs (17-19-3, 37 points) on this night is they ended a three-game winless streak in which they still managed to earn two points with two final-minute overtime losses to Kootenay.

On this night, against the East Division’s second-place team, Moose Jaw (22-14-2-3, 49), Spokane wanted both points for the win.

“We need to keep our eye on the prize. We have a chance to get five out of six possible points this weekend,” coach Bill Peters said.

The Chiefs got goals from Michael Grabner, Ryan, Joe Logan and – for the tying score – Chris Bruton.

Meanwhile, Stehr made his bid for the team’s No. 1 goalie job with an effort that saw him make all the big saves – especially in overtime.

Two of Moose Jaw’s goals came on a 5-minute power play which spanned the end of the second period and the beginning of the third and allowed the Warriors to take a 4-3 lead after Logan was called for a major cross-checking penalty with just 1:16 left in the second period.

Stehr improved to 2-0 in shootouts this season. When asked if he’s ready to step up if the coaches designate him the No 1 goalie, he said:

“You have to make yourself ready, for the good of the team. I think I could do it.”

Chiefs 5, Warriors 4 (SO)

Spokane wins shootout 2-0

First Period – 1, MJ, McArdle 20 (Erhart, Boyd) 11:37; 2, MJ, Hozapfel 7 (Herman, Jones) 18:22. Second Period – 3, Spo, Grabner 13 2:38; 4, Spo, Ryan 14 (Klassen) 5:10; 5, Spo, Logan 5 (Klassen, Zimmerman) 16:49; 6, MJ, Hozapfel 8 (McArdle, Brower) 19:41. Third Period – 7, MJ, Boyd 28 (McArdle, Brower) 3:12; 8, Spo, Bruton 9 (Zimmerman, Erickson) 13:00. Overtime – None. Shootout – Moose Jaw 0 (Boyd, miss; Brower, miss); Spokane 2 (Ryan, goal, Klassen, goal).

Power-play Opp. – Moose Jaw 2 of 5; Spokane 1 of 5. Saves – Moose Jaw, Lepp 31 saves. Spokane, Stehr 18 saves. A – 6,634.