Spokane Chiefs edge closer to elimination with loss to Seattle

SEATTLE – The Spokane Chiefs aren’t mathematically eliminated from the Western Hockey League playoffs, but they’re close.

Despite leading early – as they did in back-to-back losses to Victoria last week – the Chiefs fell to the Seattle Thunderbirds 5-2 on Tuesday night, making their pursuit of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference that much more daunting.

The loss drops the Chiefs (26-29-7-3, 62 points) 12 points behind idle Portland with seven games to play. With a loss and Portland win on Wednesday, the Chiefs would be eliminated from playoff contention.

Spokane has lost six of its last seven.

This one started out well enough for Spokane. Hudson Elynuik scored his 26th goal of the season not six minutes in, assisted by Tyson Helgesen and Ty Smith, to give the Chiefs a head start.

But Seattle (42-19-4-2, 90 points), in a tight battle for the top seed in the conference with Everett and Prince George, didn’t waste any time responding. Three minutes after Elynuik’s goal, Alexander True scored his 21st of the season – on a power play – to tie it.

Turner Ottenbreit followed with his sixth of the season less than two minutes later to give the Thunderbirds a lead they would only add to.

Anthony Bishop’s second goal of the season made it 3-1 with 30 seconds left in the first period.

A scoreless second period ensued, but Seattle got back on the board 2:14 into the third when Keegan Kolesar netted his 26th of the season, unassisted. Donovan Neuls added insult to injury with his 14th of the season a few minutes later.

Kailer Yamamoto picked up his 37th goal of the season, on a penalty shot, with 53 seconds left to dress up the final score. It was the Chiefs’ first penalty shot of the season.

The Chiefs went 0 for 3 on the power play. Jayden Sittler made 23 saves before giving way to Donovan Buskey, who made five saves late.

Spokane returns to the Arena on Wednesday to start a four-game home stand against Everett at 7:05 p.m.