Spokane Chiefs comeback bid falls short against Portland Winterhawks
PORTLAND – Despite a furious comeback attempt and two goals by Ethan McIndoe, the Spokane Chiefs dropped the second of a four-game road trip – and fourth overall – in a 5-4 decision to the Portland Winterhawks in WHL action on Friday.
The Chiefs (17-19-5-2, 41 points, fifth in U.S. Division) fell four points behind the Winterhawks (22-18-1-0, 45 points, fourth in U.S. Division) for the last playoff spot in the division.
Portland built a 5-1 lead midway through the second period, but the Chiefs didn’t lie down. Kailer Yamamoto scored his 26th goal of the season to cut the deficit to 5-2 with just under two minutes left in the second period.
Ethan McIndoe made a comeback start to look realistic at 11:54 of the third with his second of the game and 10th of the season, assisted by Tyson Helgesen and Yamamoto. Just a few minutes later, Nolan Reid potted his first of the campaign, assisted by Matt Leduc and Keanu Yamamoto, to make it a one-goal game.
But Spokane couldn’t find the equalizer.
Ryan Hughes, Brendan De Jong, Skyler McKenzie, Colton Veloso and Caleb Jones all scored for Portland.
Jayden Sittler started between the pipes and gave up all five goals on 23 shots. Dawson Weatherill made 10 saves in relief. Cole Kehler went the distance with 28 saves for Portland.
The Chiefs face off against the Winterhawks in Portland again on Saturday at 7 p.m.