Dubnyk shuts down Chiefs
KAMLOOPS, B.C. – Goaltender Devan Dubnyk stopped 34 shots for his second shutout of the season as the Kamloops Blazers turned back the Spokane Chiefs 2-0 in Western Hockey League play on Friday night at Sport Mart Place.
The shutout was the 10th of Dubnyk’s career. Corey Hirsch holds the Kamloops career record, with 13.
Kamloops did its damage on the power play.
Nathan Grochmal staked the Blazers (6-11-1-0) to a 1-0 lead at the 3:19 mark of the first period. Cam Cunning and Kris Hogg picked up assists on the score.
Kalvin Sagert, with assists from Tyrell Moulton and Jarret Lukin, scored the game’s final goal at 9:32 in the second period.
The Chiefs (5-7-0-1) outshot Kamloops on the night, including a 15-8 advantage in the opening 20 minutes. The Blazers are 2-0 against Spokane this season.
Chiefs goalkeeper Jim Watt stopped 29 of 31 shots, but saw his record fall to 5-7-0 on the season.
Dubnyk weathered the first-period shot onslaught to raise his record to 5-9-1.
The Chiefs, who were shut out for the first time this season, take on the Tri-City Americans tonight at 7 at the Arena.
Junior hockey
The visiting Spokane Braves and Castlegar Rebels skated to a 3-3 tie in Kootenay International Junior Hockey League action.
Spokane jumped out to a 2-0 first-period lead on goals by Seth Compton and Ryan Pajimola. Sam Read also scored for the Braves.