Chiefs deny Thunderbirds, 2-1 | WHL

For the Reporter

The Spokane Chiefs defeated the Seattle Thunderbirds Friday night, pulling out a 2-1 win despite late pressure.

The loss in Seattle’s first home game follows its Eastern Conference road trip and drops the T-Birds 9-11-2-1. Spokane is 10-7-3-0.

Taran Kozun made 20 saves on 22 shots in the loss for Seattle. Kozun is now 8-8-2-1 on the season. Tyson Verhelst, who stopped 35 of 36 shots in his sixth appearance of the season, is 4-1-0-0.

The Chiefs built a 2-0 lead at 9:35 of the third period with their second power-play goal of the night. Kailer Yamamoto had the goal on a rebound for his second of the night.

Calvin Spencer scored then scored for the T-Birds. Spencer planted himself in front of the net during an extended attack. After Nolan Volcan threw the puck back into the crease from the side of the net, Spencer went to work, hacking at the puck until it bounced through Verhelst’s pads. Volcan and Jared Hauf had the assists on Spencer’s goal at 13:46.

Spencer’s goal lit a fire under the T-Birds, who went right back to the attack after the ensuing faceoff. A pile-up in the crease nearly resulted in the tying goal, only to see Verhelst manage to grab a hold of the puck even as bodies piled up around him.

Kozun left the net with just under two minutes left in the game, giving the home team six attackers. The decision helped Seattle create several dangerous scoring opportunities but could not quite get them the second goal they needed to tie the game.

SCORING SUMMARY

First period – 1, Spokane, Ka. Yamamoto 4 (Fram, Zwerger), 15:03 (pp). Penalties – Elynuik, Spokane (roughing), 6:06. Khaira, Seattle (roughing), 6:06. Cardiff, Spokane (elbowing), 9:28. Holowko, Seattle (tripping), 13:04. Smith, Seattle (tripping), 13:26. Playfair, Spokane (major-fighting), 16:50. Holowko, Seattle (major-fighting), 16:50.

Second period – No scoring. Penalties – Bechtold, Spokane (goaltender interference), 1:20. Hauf, Seattle (slashing), 4:08. Whittingham, Spokane (interference), 10:17. Baltram, Seattle (holding), 13:52. Theodore, Seattle (delay of game), 14:52. Fram, Spokane (hooking), 17:02.

Third period – 2, Spokane, Ka. Yamamoto 5 (Zwerger, Ke. Yamamoto), 9:35 (pp). 3, Seattle, Spencer 3 (Volcan, Hauf), 13:46. Penalties – Rayman, Spokane (checking from behind), 1:28. Cardiff, Spokane (major-fighting), 4:31. Ottenbreit, Seattle (major-fighting), 4:31. Hauf, Seattle (interference), 9:24. Gropp, Seattle (10-minute misconduct), 20:00.

Shots on goal – Seattle 12-6-18 36, Spokane 12-8-2 22. Goalies – Seattle, Kozun 22 shots-20 saves (8-8-2-1); Spokane, Verhelst 36-35 (4-1-0-0). Power plays – Seattle 0-5; Spokane 2-6. A – 4,266. Referees – Ryan Benbow, Jason Nissen. Linesmen – Al Creigh, Aaron Mills.