Spokane 5 @Vancouver 0
The Vancouver Giants (25-16-4-3) have struggled as of late at scoring on home ice. The Langley Events Centre, where they are 13-9-1-1 has not had the chance to play the Giants goal song for two straight games now.
The shutout streak on home ice for the Giants has now reached 132:09 and counting thanks to the Spokane Chiefs (26-19-1-2) and goalie Dawson Weatherill, who bested them 5-0 on Wednesday night.
The netminder, who just returned from injury stopped all 31 shots he faced and now has turned away 63 of 65 since returning to the lineup.
Offensively, the Chiefs were led by Kailer Yamamoto who scored twice and Hudson Elynuik, who provided three points.
The Chiefs now sport a four-game winning streak, while the Giants are now on a three-game losing streak.
The Chiefs also have a seven-game winning streak over the Giants.
It was a rough night for Vancouver goalie David Tendeck. Things started early in the first when Zach Fischer got him leaning to the left, while skating behind the net with the puck and Fischer swiftly tucked the puck in on the post that Tendeck had vacated.
Then just 59 seconds into the second, Yamamoto pounced on a loose puck in the slot and beat Tendeck for his seventh this year.
Just 2:11 later, Yamamoto added his eighth and second of the game. While short handed, Yamamoto used his speed to find the puck in the neutral zone and then played give-and-go with Elynuik before beating Tendeck. Yamamoto now has seven straight multi-point games and 17 points over his last eight contests.
Luke Toporowski added his second goal in three games with 8:31 left in the period, ending Tendeck’s night. The Vancouver goalie topped 23 of 27. Trent Miner came on in relief for his first ever WHL regular season action. The 16-year-old would go on to stop 14 of 15.
The one time Miner was solved was by Elynuik, who added the Chiefs fifth goal with 15:45 left in regulation.
Ty Smith was away from the Chiefs for the CHL Top Prospects Game in Guelph, Ontario.
The Giants will next play host to the Victoria Royals on Friday, while the Chiefs head down to Kennewick for a rivalry game with the Tri-City Americans on Saturday.
