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

Rookie scores first as Chiefs trip Tips

EVERETT – First-round bantam draft selection Mitch Holmberg scored in the first period and the Memorial Cup champion Spokane Chiefs went on to defeat the host Everett Silvertips 4-2 in a preseason game at the Everett tournament.

Holmberg, selected 21st overall in this spring’s draft, scored on a power play at 13 minutes, 19 seconds of the first period.

The Sherwood Park, Alberta, native was born in 1993 and is not eligible to play in the WHL on a full-time basis this year. He scored 45 goals and 71 points in 33 games last year for his Midget League team.

Everett took the lead in the second period when Tyler Kieffer scored goals 1:59 apart. But Levko Koper, an 18-year-old veteran, tied the game with 90 seconds remaining in the period, scoring on an assist from Ryan Letts.

The eventual winner came from second-year forward Dustin Donaghy on Koper’s assist midway through the third period.

The final goal was by 20-year-old Seth Compton who scored on an empty net with 23 seconds remaining.

Chiefs rookie goaltender James Reid made 32 saves, 28 in the second and third periods. The Chiefs were outshot by the Silvertips 34-21. The Chiefs were 5 for 5 on the penalty kill.

Holmberg was one of four Chiefs 2008 draft picks to make their debuts. The others: defenseman Tanner Mort, a fourth-round selection from Post Falls, forward Brady Brassart (second round) and forward Michael Aviana (fifth).

The tournament continues today and Sunday. Spokane plays the Portland Winter Hawks at 3 p.m. today. Sunday’s game is against the Tri-City Americans at 11 a.m. The Chiefs have one home exhibition, Sept. 12 against Kelowna in the Eagles Ice-A-Rena. The WHL regular season begins Sept. 18 at the Kootenay Ice.