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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Ice ruin Spokane’s final home game

The Spokane Chiefs played dump-and-chase hockey for most of Saturday night.

They dumped it. They chased. The Kootenay Ice would oftentimes control it, then they would dump it.

The Chiefs were left chasing the visitors for most of the night and chased them through two periods with no success. Then, they finally caught them.

Spokane’s Derek Ryan had the game-tying goal at the 11:01 mark of the third period, to force overtime in Western Hockey League play Saturday night at the Spokane Arena before a sellout crowd.

But, in the end, the Ice prevailed 2-1 in a shootout as Steve DaSilva had the only make of the six shooters after a scoreless overtime.

“It was sad, obviously, coming out for the last regular-season home game, but exciting knowing we still have the playoffs coming and the chance to play some more games,” said Ryan.

Ryan, who was named Chiefs Player of the Year before the game, got the tying goal on an effort of sheer desire while his team was on a 5-on-3 power play. He fought through the Kootenay defense, put a shot on net, then jumped on the rebound and put it past Ice goalie Taylor Dakers.

The crowd which had cheered him loudly before the game did so again, then his team went on to dominate the rest of regulation.

Spokane also was the aggressor in the 4-on-4 overtime and Ryan had a chance to win the game with 1:15 remaining when he broke in on Dakers. He took a chance at the near side, but was denied by the knob of Dakers’ stick.

In the shootout, Dakers stopped Ryan once again. After Kootenay missed its first shootout attempt, Ryan stepped up, got Dakers in a bad position, but left his shot to the near side just within his reach as Dakers made the glove save behind his body.

At the other end of the ice, Kootenay’s next shooter made his attempt when DaSilva got what turned out to be the game-winner when he beat Spokane goalie Kevin Armstrong.

Spokane’s Michael Grabner and Mitch Wahl then each missed their shots to end the game.

It was a solid effort for Spokane against the Canadian Hockey League’s No. 6 team.

The Ice took the early lead, 1-0 after one period, on a goal by Curtis Billsten from the left circle at the 4:01 mark. The Chiefs managed just six shots on goal in the period and not many quality chances against the Ice.

The teams played an even second period, each getting 11 shots on goal, with Dakers and Armstrong engaging in a goaltending duel.

Spokane, which killed off three penalties through two periods, was severely frustrated in three straight power-play chances against Kootenay in the first 13 minutes of the second period.

The teams then took turns throwing their best even-strength offensive rushes at each other over the final 10 minutes of the period. Kootenay reeled off five straight shots, followed by the same from Spokane.

Neither could break through, however, and Kootenay’s lone goal was the difference through two periods before Ryan got his team on the board.

Ice 2, Chiefs 1 (SO)

Kootenay10001 —2
Spokane00100 —1

Kootenay won shootout 1-0

First Period—1, Ktn, Billsten 22 (Bauer, Busto) 4:01. Second Period—None. Third Period—2, Spo, Ryan 25 (Wahl, Rutherford) 11:01 (pp). Overtime—None. Shootout—Kootenay 1 (Russell miss, DaSilva make, Billsten miss); Spokane 0 (Ryan miss, Grabner miss, Wahl miss).

Power-play Opp.—Kootenay 0 of 3; Spokane 1 of 6. Saves—Kootenay, Dakers 32. Spokane, Armstrong 27. A—10,366.