Blackwater earns Chiefs a victory

KENNEWICK – Judd Blackwater tied the game in the third period then scored the shootout winner as the Spokane Chiefs overcame a two-goal deficit to defeat the Tri-City Americans 4-3 Sunday night in the 17th annual New Year’s Eve meeting between the rivals.

It gave the teams a split of Western Hockey League shootouts by the same score during the weekend – Tri-City had won Saturday night in Spokane – and leaves them sharing third place in the U.S. Division with 45 points. It was only Spokane’s second win in seven meetings with the Americans this season. Six have been decided by one goal.

Ondrej Roman and Drayson Bowman also scored in regulation for Spokane.

Drew Hoff, Shaun Vey and Colton Yellow Horn scored for Tri-City. It was Yellow Horn’s ninth goal of the season against Spokane.

Two of the Ams’ goals came on the power play. Roman’s fourth goal of the season also was on a power play.

Kevin Armstrong made 22 saves for the Chiefs (20-13-3-2), plus stopping four of the Americans’ five shots in the shootout. Chet Pickard stopped 34 shots for the Americans (22-13-0-1).