Victoria, B.C. – The Spokane Chiefs held on to win their second-straight game against the Victoria Royals, 5-4, Saturday night.
The first period was a goal-filled affair, kicked off by Victoria’s Riley Gannon at 7:37.
The Chiefs answered with back-to-back goals within 30 seconds of each other, first from Berkly Catton (assist: Chase Bertholet), then from Mac Gross (assists: Tommaso De Luca, Kooper Gizowski). It’s Gross’ third goal of the season already.
The Royals closed out the first frame with a power play goal by Luke Shipley at 14:26 to keep things tied at two apiece.
Things got physical in the second period, as Grady Lane and Alex Edwards took five-minute fighting majors less than three minutes in.
Spokane took a 3-2 lead at 3:17 in the third period after Blake Swetlikoff fed the puck to Saige Weinstein at the blue line, who fired it into the back of the net.
Victoria quickly tied it up again at 4:40 on a goal from Justin Kipkie, but the Chiefs were fast to answer as Jake Gudelj scored his first goal of the season on a rush to the net at 4:55 (assists: Brayden Crampton, Tommaso De Luca).
De Luca ➡️ Crampton ➡️ Gudelj 🚨
Chiefs take the lead again (4-3) five minutes into the third!#GoChiefsGo pic.twitter.com/4eY5ZsUNqI
— Spokane Chiefs (@spokanechiefs) September 25, 2022
20-year-old defenseman Raegan Wiles got a fifth goal on the board for Spokane at 9:14, securing the Chiefs’ victory.
Cooper Michaluk started in net for the Chiefs for a second night in a row and turned aside 21-of-25 shots.
Spokane went 1-for-2 on the power play and 2-for-3 on the penalty kill. They also outshot the Royals 31-25.
Up next, the Chiefs will host the Kamloops Blazers in their home opener at Spokane Arena on Saturday, October 1 at 7:05 p.m. Get to the arena early for the pre-game party!
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The Chiefs’ 2022-23 regular season will begin on Friday, September 23 as they visit the Victoria Royals before hosting the Kamloops Blazers in their home opener at Spokane Arena on Saturday, October 1. Ticket packages for the 2022-23 season are available now! For more information, visit spokanechiefs.com or call a ticket account executive at 509-535-PUCK.
The Spokane Chiefs are a member of the U.S. Division of the Western Hockey league, the world’s finest development league for junior hockey players. Since 1985 the Chiefs have been a pillar in the Spokane community, offering family-friendly entertainment and a winning tradition which includes: two Memorial Cup Championships in 1991 & 2008, two WHL Championships in 1991 & 2008 and four Western Conference Championships in 1991, 1996, 2000 & 2008. Over 60 alumni have gone on to play in the National Hockey League.
