(Spokane, WA) For the first time since 2013, the Spokane Chiefs (4-1) have advanced to the second round of the WHL Playoffs. After losing to the Portland Winterhawks (1-4) in seven games during the 2018 playoffs, the Chiefs defeated their U.S. Division rivals in five games this year.
Luke Toporowski and Riley Woods each scored twice for Spokane in route to a 4-1 victory over the Winterhawks on Saturday evening.
The Winterhawks got captain, and three-time WHL 1st Team forward, Cody Glass back into the lineup for the first time in the series. Glass missed the previous 12 games with a lower body injury.
The impact of Glass was immediate for Portland as he capitalized on a Bailey Brkin mishandle of the puck behind the Chiefs net. The Vegas Golden Knight signed prospect simply backhanded the shot into the empty net.
However, the Portland lead did not last long.
Spokane’s power play proved to be the key difference in the series.
Luke Toporowski one-timed a pass from Nolan Reid just 48 seconds later to tie the game for the Chiefs.
The 2019 NHL Draft eligible forward’s goal was the sixth power play goal in five games for Spokane. With 11 opportunities in the series, the Chiefs power play converted on 54.5% of their chances.
Meanwhile, Portland went zero-for-four on Saturday, and 2-for-13 (15.4%) in the five games against Spokane.
The Chiefs used special teams all series to score goals, as well as create momentum. The Chiefs successfully killed off Portland’s second power play of the first period.
After serving his penalty, Toporowski came out of the box, picked up the puck at the blue line and scored on a breakaway. The Bettendorf, Iowa native netted his fourth of the series giving the Chiefs the 2-1 lead heading into the first intermission.
Neither team could find the back of the net in the second period despite several quality chances.
Bailey Brkin settled into the game after the initial miscue and ended the evening with 38 saves on 39 Portland shots.
Trailing by a goal heading into the third, Portland looked to make a final push to find an equalizer.
Instead, the Chiefs came out of the locker room on the front foot led by overage forward Riley Woods.
The Regina, SK native stole the puck as Portland attempted to break out of their zone. With all of the Winterhawks a zone ahead, Woods went in all alone on Joel Hofer for the goal.
The goal was a back breaker for Portland as they were never able to really push Spokane in the final 20 minutes.
Woods scored again less than two minutes later extending the Chiefs advantage to 4-1. The goal was also Woods’ fourth of the series tying him with Toporowski for the team lead in goals.
In the five game series he also contributed four assists for a series high eight points.
The Chiefs shut the door defensively and ended the Winterhawks season and now move on to face the Everett Silvertips in the second round.
Everett defeated the Tri-City Americans in five games as well. The two begin their series next Saturday at the Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett.
