Shutout ends Chiefs’ five-game win streak

Sat., Feb. 21, 2009

KENT, Wash. – The well ran dry.

After scoring 32 goals in a five-game winning streak, the Spokane Chiefs couldn’t find the back of the net Friday night and lost 3-0 to Calvin Pickard and the Seattle Thunderbirds in the ShoWare Center.

Spokane outshot Seattle 36-29, unleashing 14 shots in the first period and 13 in the third, but T-Birds goalie Pickard was equal to every one of them in dealing the Chiefs just their fourth shutout loss of the Western Hockey League season.

The Chiefs (39-17-0-3), who lost for the first time in eight road games and just the third in 20 games overall, dropped four points behind Tri-City in the U.S. Division. The Americans, who entertain the Chiefs tonight, used a four-goal third period to overcome Everett 5-2.

The Chiefs are likely to have to deal with another Pickard tonight. Older brother Chet is the Americans’ No. 1 goalie.

Seattle got the only goal it needed at 13:58 of the first period after Spokane goalie Dustin Tokarski misplayed a puck behind the net and Sena Acolatse deflected a shot off a Chief.

Jim O’Brien’s slap shot from the blue line and Jonathan Parker’s empty-net goal iced it.

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Shutout ends Chiefs’ five-game win streak

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

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