The Spokane Chiefs defeated the Seattle Thunderbirds 2-1 Friday night at Veterans Memorial Arena in Game 1 of their first round playoff series.
The Chiefs lead the best-of-seven series 1-0 with Game 2 scheduled for Saturday at 7 p.m. in Spokane.
Games 3 and 4 of the series are Tuesday, March 24, and Wednesday, March 25, at ShoWare Center. Both games start at 7:05 p.m. Single game playoff tickets are available for purchase online at www.seattl ethunderbirds.com or at the ShoWare Center box office. Playoff ticket prices for the first round are $24 and $18.
Seattle took a 1-0 lead at 9:32 of the first period on a goal by Charles Wells. The T-Birds defense blocked a shot at their blue line just as a Chiefs power play was ending. Brenden Dillon came out of the penalty box and kicked the puck forward to Greg Scott to send him on a breakaway. Scott came in alone against Chiefs goalie Dustin Tokarski. Scott made a move to his left but was denied by Tokarski who knocked Scott off balance. Scott held the puck to the left of the goal then centered it to Wells coming down the slot. Wells had his stick on the ice and redirected the puck past an outstretched Tokarski. It was Well’s first career playoff goal.
Both teams had 13 shots on goal in the first period.
The Chiefs tied the game 1-1 at 4:21 of the second period on a goal by Drayson Bowman. Brady Calla and Ondrej Roman had assists on the goal.
Seattle outshot Spokane 13-7 in the second period and led 26-20 in total shots after two periods.
Bowman scored a second goal at 11:44 of the third period to give the Chiefs a 2-1 lead. Calla had the only assist on the goal.
The Chiefs outshot the T-Birds 18-6 in the third period and 38-32 in the game.
Seattle goalie Calvin Pickard made 36 saves on 38 shots in his first appearance in the playoffs. His record is 0-1.
Tokarski stopped 31 of 32 shots and his playoff record is 1-0.
The T-Birds have a 10 ticket special for the first round of the playoffs. Fans who purchase 10 tickets to any single playoff game will get a $4 discount per ticket and two free tickets.
SCORING SUMMARY
First period – 1, Seattle, Wells 1 (Scott, Dillon), 9:32. Penalties – Calla, Spo (tripping) 1:06. Dillon, Sea (hooking), 7:22. Richard, Sea (kneeing), 13:45. Johnson, Spo (roughing), 15:21.
Second period – 2, Spokane, Bowman 1 (Calla, Roman), 4:21. Penalties – Richard, Sea (tripping), 8:35. Bartman, Spo (high-sticking), 16:49.
Third period – 3, Seattle, Bowman 2 (Calla), 11:44. Penalties – No penalties.
Shots on goal – Seattle 13-13-6 32. Spokane 13-7-18 38. Goalies – Seattle, Pickard 38 shots-36 saves (0-1); Spokane, Tokarski 32-31 (1-0). Power plays – Seattle 0-3; Spokane 0-3. A – 5,426. Referee – Devin Klein, Sean Raphael. Linesmen – Justin Hull, Jason Michelbook.
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