Wahl, Chiefs take big steps

EVERETT – Mitch Wahl took a step up Spokane’s career ladder Friday night. The Chiefs just took a big step.

Wahl had two assists to break a tie for third on the Chiefs’ career assist list as Spokane held off the Everett Silvertips 4-3 before 6,031 at Comcast Arena to move closer to clinching a Western Hockey League playoff berth.

Tyler Johnson had a goal and two assists as Spokane (33-30-3-1) won for the sixth time in its last 10 games to move within one point of becoming the fourth U.S. Division team to earn a playoff spot, and within three points of Everett (35-19-2-1) for third place.

The teams meet again Monday afternoon at 3 in a Presidents Day matinee at the Spokane Arena after the Chiefs entertain Tri-City tonight. Spokane trails the division-leading Ams by 10.

Wahl, in his fourth season with the Chiefs, collected his 16th and 17th assists in his last 15 games to run his career total to 168, breaking a third-place tie with Travis Green behind Ray Whitney (207) and Pat Falloon (194).

It also ran his season point total to 73, matching his career high set two years ago.

While Wahl had a spotlight moment, it was the defense and goalie Michael Tadjdeh that shined as the Chiefs weathered an Everett comeback from a 4-1 deficit in the second period.

After Everett scored twice less than 2 minutes apart midway in the second, Tadjdeh slammed the door, making big saves down the stretch. Everett outshot Spokane 13-5 in the third period.

“We had a great work ethic tonight,” Chiefs coach Hardy Sauter said. “We were very mature and strong. Our defense did a great job of moving pucks out of our zone.”

It was, he added, “a good road win for us.”

Everett had a 6-4 skater advantage the last 1:45, pulling goalie Thomas Hemskerk after Blake Gal was called for high sticking to put the ’Tips on the power play.

Both teams were 2 for 4 on the power play, with Johnson and Jared Spurgeon scoring for Spokane with a man advantage. It was Johnson’s 26th goal, Spurgeon’s seventh.

Brady Brassart and Corbin Baldwin also scored for the Chiefs. Ryan Murray scored twice for Everett.