Chiefs Battle Back, But Drop Home Opener to Kamloops 4-2

October 2, 2022 – Western Hockey League (WHL) – Spokane Chiefs News Release

Spokane, Wash. – The Spokane Chiefs made it a battle in the third period, but ultimately fell 4-2 to the Kamloops Blazers in their home opener at Spokane Arena on Saturday night.

The Blazers were hot from the jump, scoring just two minutes into the game on a power play goal from Connor Levis. Kamloops added another at 13:37 as Matthew Seminoff notched his first goal of the season to give them a 2-0 advantage heading into the first intermission.

After the break, the Blazers picked up where they left off as Caedan Bankier scored a short-handed goal at 3:19 to put Kamloops up 3-0.

Kamloops again scored just over three minutes into the third period as Ethan Brandwood cushioned the Blazers’ lead with his first goal of the season.

Spokane finally found the net at 5:46 in the third period when Kooper Gizowski pushed the puck to newly-named team captain Raegan Wiles at the point, who fired a shot that was tipped in by Grady Lane for his first goal of the year (power play goal). The assist marked Gizowski’s sixth point in three games.

The Chiefs kept Kamloops at bay for the rest of the period, and added another goal of their own at 17:46 as 20-year-old forward Cade Hayes potted his first goal of the season with help from Tommaso De Luca and Saige Weinstein.

Mason Beaupit started in net for Spokane and turned away 20-of-24 shots faced. On the other end of the ice, Dylan Ernst was a wall for Kamloops and stopped 33-of-35 shots.

The Chiefs went 1-for-5 on the power play and 1-for-3 on the penalty kill.

Up next, the Chiefs will host the Edmonton Oilers on Friday, October 7. It’s a Numerica Magnet Schedule Giveaway! The first 1,000 fans through the gates will receive a refrigerator magnet schedule courtesy of Numerica Credit Union.

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