Spokane 5 @Everett 2
for the fourth time in the last 16 days and 10th time this year, the Spokane Chiefs (36-21-3-2) and Everett Silvertips (41-18-2-3) did battle.
Despite facing each other so many times recently, the two teams have compiled some of the best records in the WHL over the last few weeks. Spokane has now won 10 of their last 12, with those lone losses coming to Everett.
Everett, meanwhile had not lost in regulation in their last 11 games, which stretched back to before the month of February had started.
Woith both teams winning both back-to-back games on the weekend, they were both playing for a perfect three-in-three set.
Spokane was able to take this one behind three goals in the second period. Ty Smith notched two assists and Donovan Buskey stopped 29 of 31 in the win. Smith completed an incredible weekend with three goals and seven assists in the three games.
Bryce Kindopp opened the scoring for Everett with his 19th goal this year, with 3:34 left in the first.
Then in the second, the Chiefs went to work. Riley Woods started the barrage with his 21st this year, then Riley McKay put home his third and Kailer Yamamoto filed his 19th. Those turned a 1-0 deficit to a 3-1 advantage.
Filip Kral potted his sixth 1:34 in and then Matt Leduc then potted his first WHL goal in the third, to give Spokane a 5-1 lead.
Sean Richards notched his 20th this year with only 3:31 to make this one closer, his first goal since returning from his four-game suspension.
Dustin Wolf got the start for Everett and stopped 24 of 29.
The Chiefs closed to within one point of Portland for second in the U.S. Division, but the Winterhawks have one game in hand now.
Spokane also increases their lead over Tri-City for third in the U.S. to five points, with the Americans having one game in hand.
The Chiefs are just one point from clinching a playoff birth as well.
Everett remains nine points up on Portland, with the Hawks having three games in hand on them.
Both teams get a little rest before they play again. The Chiefs play Tri-City in Kennewick Friday, while the ‘Tips host Kelowna that same night.
