Chiefs are ‘Tip-top

The Spokane Chiefs, owned by the Everett Silvertips in recent years, have somehow found the formula this season against the Western Hockey League’s top team.

Spokane proved it yet again Friday night, topping Everett 1-0 at the Arena in a tightly played contest.

David Rutherford’s first-period, power-play goal ended up as the game-winner and Spokane got 23 saves from goaltender Kevin Armstrong in his second career WHL shutout, his first in a Spokane uniform.

The win allowed Spokane (21-13-3-2, 47 points) to move into sole possession of third place in the U.S. Division by two points.

Everett, the Central Hockey League’s No. 1 team, has suffered four of its seven losses this season in five games with Spokane.

“I think we have their number because we try to outwork them,” said Rutherford. “They’re a hard-working team, but we come prepared and ready to play them.”

That fact didn’t go unnoticed by Everett coach Kevin Constantine, who was left scratching his head after each period and staring at his team in disbelief as it left the ice. In contrast, the effort left Chiefs fans standing for the final minute-plus of the game.

“We’re starting to mature as a team,” said assistant captain Chris Bruton, “and with good habits and a good mind-set, we’re just prepared. We’ve just got to learn to do that with every single team in the league and bring it every night.”

Sure, the U.S. Division-leading Silvertips (31-6-0-1, 63) were without leading scorer Peter Mueller and starting goalie Leland Irving (both at the World Juniors), but Spokane was missing top defenseman Sean Zimmerman (World Juniors) and captain Adam Hobson (injury).

“You’ve got to find ways to battle through things,” said Rutherford. “These points are worth the same amount now as they were at the beginning of the year. … This was a game we needed to win and we’re glad we didn’t give them a point.”

The Chiefs got the best of the Silvertips in a well-played first period and kept going from there. The teams played a physical game from the start that included a fight off the opening face-off.

Everett entered the game as the top-ranked WHL team on both the penalty kill and the power play. The Silvertips put the Chiefs on the power play three times in the first period. The third one was a charm for Spokane.

Rutherford put in a rebound of a Michael Grabner shot from the point, waiting for the puck at the left post as it bounced off the boards behind the net. He banked it off the back of Silvertips goalie David Reekie to give Spokane a 1-0 lead at the 13:57 mark of the first.

“I guess it just proves how important the power play is,” said Rutherford, who has a team-high 20 goals. “The goal came really early in the game and put them on their heels, I guess. It wasn’t the prettiest goal, but I’m definitely going to take it.”

The teams played scoreless second and third periods in which Spokane withstood an initial rush from Everett out of the locker room in each stanza and took control the rest of the way.

The key to the game came on the back end, which was backed up by the play of Armstrong.

“With game so tight all the way through, with only a one-goal lead, it’s easy to keep ‘em out,” said Armstrong. “You know that one goal can make the difference and pretty much change the game completely, so I think it’s a little bit of motivation to keep the shutout going.”

Armstrong also credited his defense, but he made several key saves down the stretch. None was bigger than his kick save on Zach Hamill at the 3:58 mark of the final period. Shane Harper put a shot on net from the right side, Armstrong made the save, but the rebound was taken through the crease by Hamill. Armstrong waited on him and did the splits at the last second to make the save.

Armstrong also denied Hamill on a point-blank opportunity at the 11:16 mark and then Harper again just 25 seconds later to preserve the win.

“We were good,” said Chiefs coach Bill Peters. “Our forwards were gritty on the walls, our team defense was good. Army was excellent tonight. He gave up a few chances but he was there when we needed him.

“That’s what you need, all your guys firing and competing against a good team and we had that tonight.”

Chiefs 1, Silvertips 0

First Period—1, Spo, Rutherford 20 (Grabner, Lenoski) 13:57 (pp). Second Period—None.

Third Period—None. Power-play Opp.—Everett 0 of 4; Spokane 1 of 5. Saves—Everett, Reekie 19 saves. Spokane, Armstrong 23 saves. A—4,909.