Chiefs Salvage Tie With Portland Late Goal Forces Overtime, 4-4 Whl Deadlock

The Spokane Chiefs proved Friday that a lot can be accomplished in 25 seconds.

In the Chiefs’ case, they accomplished a last-ditch goal that forced overtime and resulted in a 4-4 Western Hockey League tie with the Portland Winter Hawks before a crowd of 7,783.

Spokane’s John Cirjak batted a pass from Jason Podollan into the net with 25 seconds left in regulation. The Chiefs had pulled their goaltender about 1 minute earlier. Neither team scored during overtime.

Spokane is 30-36-4 as it heads home for tonight’s game with Prince George. The Chiefs, who finished 14-19-3 on the road, need wins today and Sunday to surpass last year’s win and points totals. Portland is 22-42-6.

Portland’s Richard Zednik scored a hat trick, scoring the Winter Hawks’ first three goals to give him 34 this year.

After Zednik’s third score, late in the second period, Spokane tied the game at 3-3 on Trent Whitfield’s unassisted goal with 1:58 left in the period.

Portland went back on top 4-3 as Dave Scatchard banged in a shot from just outside the crease midway through the third period.

Dmitri Leonov assisted on Spokane’s final goal - the fourth shot of 40 to beat Portland goalie Scott Langkow.

Spokane goalie David Lemanowicz had 32 saves.