Kings blank Chiefs

BRANDON, Manitoba – The Spokane Chiefs began their seven-game, nine-night Western Hockey League road trip with a 1-0 loss to the Brandon Wheat Kings Friday night in front of 3,747 at the Keystone Centre.

Andrew Clark scored the lone goal to give East Division-leading Brandon (24-15-2-6) a 1-0 lead at 18:13 of the first period.

Clark recorded the power-play goal after redirecting a deflected shot from the point. Theran Yeo and Tyler Dittmer assisted on the tally.

Neither team drew blood in the second period despite racking up 10 shots apiece on net.

In the third period, the Chiefs (24-16-0-1) outshot the Wheat Kings 15-12, but Brandon goaltender Tyler Plante turned away all of them as Spokane was shut out for the fifth time this season.

Plante was named the game’s No. 1 Star.

Chiefs goaltender Kevin Armstrong turned in a strong performance and earned the game’s No. 2 Star by saving 31 of the 32 shots he faced.

The loss marked the first game of the season in which Spokane faced an opponent from the East Division, and snapped a three-game winning streak.

Spokane’s Judd Blackwater suffered a cut on his leg and is questionable to play in tonight’s contest at Moose Jaw.