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Spokane Chiefs

Chiefs host Portland Winterhawks in must-win Game 6

Should the Chiefs extend their season, expect it to be dramatic.

Game 6 of a Western Hockey League first-round playoff series between Spokane and Portland takes place Monday night at the Arena. The Chiefs trail 3-2 in a series that has seen just one home-ice victory.

Spokane’s wins both came in Portland; both in overtime. Two of Portland’s wins came in Spokane, although those trends should not come as a surprise. The Chiefs are 4-3 in Portland this season, 1-5 against the Winterhawks in Spokane.

As for overtime dramatics, it was Kailer Yamamoto who rescued the Chiefs on Saturday night. His goal at 9 minutes, 19 seconds into overtime provided a 5-4 victory. One week prior, it was Luke Toporowski with the overtime winner as the Chiefs took the series opener.

The Chiefs dropped three in a row in between victories.

For the Chiefs to extend the series they must slow Portland’s hottest skaters. Cody Glass leads Portland with eight points in the series, including a goal and an assist in Saturday’s loss. Dennis Cholowski scored his series-best fourth goal on Saturday.

Game 7, if necessary, is scheduled for Tuesday night in Portland.