Hobson, Chiefs stave off Blades

SASKATOON, Saskatchewan – Adam Hobson scored the game-winning goal in his first game back in more than two months to help Spokane survive a late Saskatoon rally and hold on for a 3-2 Western Hockey League win in front of 3,683 Wednesday night at the Credit Union Centre.

Hobson, who had not played in a game since Nov. 11 because of a knee injury, scored his seventh goal of the season at 7:11 of the second period with a wrist shot from the top of the slot to put the Chiefs (25-19-3-2, 55 points U.S. Division) ahead 3-0.

Derek Ryan and Drayson Bowman assisted on the even-strength goal.

Hobson’s tally proved to be the difference as the Blades (19-26-1-1, 40 points East Division) scored two shorthanded goals within 3:05 of each other midway through the second period.

Ryan Menei recorded the first score at 8:08 of the stanza. Justin McCrae, who assisted on the first goal, made it a 3-2 contest by scoring at 11:13.

Neither team scored in the final period, racking up a collective 11 shots on net.

Former Saskatoon Blades goaltender Kevin Armstrong had a solid game in net for Spokane, turning away 18 of the 20 shots he faced.

Michael Grabner put the Chiefs up 1-0 at 3:41 of the first period with his 22nd goal of the season. Stephane Lenoski tallied an assist on the score and was named the No. 3 Star of the Game.

Ryan scored his 18th of the season at 17:05 after stealing the puck at the Saskatoon blue line and firing a wrist shot from the top of the slot past Blades goaltender Garrett Zemlak. Ryan earned No. 1 Star of the Game honors.

Spokane continued its power-play woes, going 0 for 6 with the man advantage and giving up two shorthanded goals.

The win snapped a four-game losing streak.