Spokane falls to Tri-City
KENNEWICK – The Tri-City Americans beat the Spokane Chiefs 5-3 in Western Hockey League action Saturday at the Toyota Center in the final regular-season meeting between the two teams.
Drayson Bowman’s rebound of a Justin Falk shot at 8:01 of the first period gave the Chiefs a 1-0 lead. Taylor Procyshen tied the game at 1 at 16:13 of the first for the Americans.
Each team would score two goals in the second period to finish tied at 3 heading into the final 20 minutes of play.
After Derek Ryan’s goal at 10:37 of the second gave Spokane a 3-1 advantage, Tri-City scored two goals in a 10-second span late in the period to tie it up.
Procyshen scored the game-winner short-handed at 5:43 of the third period. Erik Felde capped the scoring with an empty-net goal with 58 seconds remaining.
Americans goaltender Chet Pickard made 28 saves, while Kevin Armstrong saved 19 for the Chiefs.
Spokane could not take advantage of its power-play opportunities. The Chiefs scored just one goal in 11 chances with a man advantage.
With the win, Tri-City (45-23) takes the season series 7-5.
Spokane (35-27), which begins U.S. Division playoffs Friday against Everett, finishes up regular-season play tonight at Portland. Game time is set for 5.