Chiefs topple Thunderbirds in shootout

KENT, Wash. – Garret Hughson stopped all three Seattle shootout attempts and Adam Helewka scored in the second shootout round Tuesday as the Spokane Chiefs topped the Thunderbirds 3-2 at ShoWare Center.

Hughson, who totaled 22 saves, denied Mathew Barzal, Keegan Kolesar and Donovan Neuls in the shootout as the Chiefs (3-1-2-0) snapped a three-game Western Hockey League losing streak. Seattle (4-3-0-1) had won two straight games, including Friday’s 2-1 OT decision at Spokane.

Spokane nearly won 31 seconds into OT, but Helewka’s goal was disallowed after Jason Fram was ruled to have interfered with Seattle goalie Taran Kozun’s ability to make a play.

Seattle scored two unassisted goals, including Barzal’s shorthander at 18:22 of the first during a 5-minute power play.

Spokane’s Blair Oneschuk scored at 3:51 of the second for a 1-all tie. Kailer Yamamoto picked up his first career WHL point with the assist.

The Chiefs’ Calder Brooks and Helewka fed Riley Whittingham for a power-play goal at 15:29 of the second to tie the game at 2.