Chiefs defeat Kelowna

Derek Ryan’s 5-on-3 power-play goal just 22 seconds into the second period lifted the Spokane Chiefs to a 3-1 Western Hockey League win over the Kelowna Rockets on Saturday night at the Spokane Arena.

Ryan’s goal gave Spokane a 2-1 lead, then Drayson Bowman added the second of his two goals at the 16:39 mark of the third (also on the power play) for the insurance goal. The win gave Spokane (13-10-3-1) a 7-1 mark at home in the month of November.

Ryan also added an assist and Ondrej Roman had another two-assist night to lead the way offensively for Spokane. The Chiefs allowed just 15 shots on goal from Kelowna (8-15-1-2).

Kelowna took the initial lead, 1-0, on a power-play goal with just 1:24 remaining in the first period.

The goal came when a pass intended for a streaking Drayson Bowman in the neutral zone was intercepted at the Spokane blue line by former Chief David Schulz. The Rockets D-man then worked the 5-on-3 advantage in the zone with a pass down low to Troy Ofukany.

And Kelowna’s leading scorer knew what to do with it. He got his fourth goal in four games against the Chiefs this season, deking Spokane goaltender Kevin Armstrong before putting into the net.

Spokane committed four penalties in the tightly contested period, to just one for Kelowna, and that was the difference in the period.

Chiefs 3, Rockets 1

First Period—1, Kel, Ofukany 12 (Schulz) 18:36 (pp); Second Period—1, Spo, Bowman 11 (Blackwater, Roman); Third Period—3, Spo, Ryan 11 (Roman, Blackwater) 0:22 (pp); 4, Spo, Bowman 12 (Roman) 16:39 (pp).

Power-play Opp.—Kelowna 1 of 7; Spokane 2 of 6. Saves—Kelowna, Westblom 24 saves. Spokane, Armstrong 14 saves. A—6,248.