Chiefs Rally To Defeat Rebels Spokane Takes Over First Place In West With 7-4 Win

Darren Sinclair had a goal and two assists as the Spokane Chiefs rallied to beat the Red Deer Rebels 7-4 Wednesday night.

The Chiefs notched their fifth straight victory and took sole possession of the Western Hockey League West lead with a little help from Seattle, which knocked off visiting Kamploops 6-4.

Six players recorded goals for Spokane in a game marked by five lead changes.

The Chiefs took the lead for good in the second period when Marten Cerven and Joe Cardarelli scored 8 seconds apart.

Cerven scored on a rebound from Trent Whitfield’s shot at the 13:28 mark.

On the ensuing face-off John Cirjak and Cardarelli got in a two-on-one breakaway. Cirjak fed to Cardarelli in the slot, and the left winger scored his sixth goal in the past three games.

Jay Bertsch tacked on an insurance goal 11 seconds into the third period to put Spokane up 6-4.

Sinclair then finished off the Chiefs’ scoring when he rebounded a Sean Gillam shot 9:39 into the final period.

Jay Henderson’s shot from the right circle 11:53 into the second period had given the Rebels a 4-3 lead and ended Spokane goalie David Lemanowicz’s night. Lemanowicz finished with 11 saves.

Aren Miller replaced him and proceeded to shut out Red Deer the rest of the way. Miller recorded 14 saves.

Red Deer’s Brad Leeb, brother of Spokane left wing Greg Leeb, scored the first goal of the game 7:48 into the first period.

Sinclair tied the game 1-1, 3:04 into the second on a wrap-around goal.

Jonathan Zukiwsky’s shot from the left circle put Red Deer up 2-1, but Spokane responded with goals from Derek Schutz and Greg Leeb.

With the victory, Spokane (29-13-3) avoided being swept in this two-game series for the first time in Red Deer’s four WHL seasons. The Rebels (16-25-4) won 4-3 in Spokane on Jan. 3.

The Chiefs improved their record against Central Division teams to 5-1, and are 11-9-1 on the road.

Spokane’s next game is Friday at 5:30 p.m. in Swift Current.