Portland defeats Spokane Chiefs in Game 7 of Western Hockey League first-round playoff series

PORTLAND – Cody Glass shattered the Spokane Chiefs’ dream of a playoff series victory Tuesday.

Glass had a hand in every score – with one goal and two assists – and the Portland Winterhawks defeated the Chiefs 3-1 at Veterans Memorial Coliseum to capture the Western Hockey League first-round series 4-3.

Spokane hasn’t won a seven-game series since 2008, against Tri-City.

Spokane, which rallied from a 3-1 series deficit to force a Game 7, stayed neck-and-neck with Portland at 1-all until the final 4 minutes, 39 seconds.

Kieffer Bellows scored the winner with a one-timer at 15:21, assisted by Glass and Dennis Cholowski.

Spokane’s Zach Fischer was whistled for checking from behind 1:19 later. The Winterhawks needed 57 seconds to score the insurance goal, with Glass and Bellows setting up Skyler McKenzie for the power-play score off a rebound.

Spokane had a final power-play chance, and skated 6-on-4 by pulling goaltender Dawson Weatherill, but Portland goalie Cole Kehler made one great save to preserve the two-goal lead. Kehler stopped 30 of 31 shots while Weatherill stopped 39 of 42.

Glass’ third goal of the series, on a power play midway through the first period, gave the Winterhawks the early edge. Portland finished 2 for 2 on power-play opportunities while the Chiefs were 0-2.

Chiefs defenseman Ty Smith tied the score at 11:31 of the second period, assisted by Hudson Elynuik. Smith scored on a wrister from the right blue line.

Portland outshot the Chiefs 42-31, including a 14-11 advantage in the final period.

The Winterhawks will meet Everett in the next round.